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Research article2024Peer reviewedOpen access

Monensin Suppresses Multiple Features of House Dust Mite-Induced Experimental Asthma in Mice

Allam, Venkata Sita Rama Raju; Akula, Srinivas; Waern, Ida; Taha, Sowsan; Wernersson, Sara; Pejler, Gunnar

Abstract

Despite intense efforts to develop efficient therapeutic regimes for asthma, there is a large demand for novel treatment strategies in this disease. Here we evaluated the impact of monensin, a drug with potent anti-mast cell effects, in a mouse model of asthma. Allergic airway inflammation was induced by sensitization of mice with house dust mite (HDM) antigen, and effects of monensin on airway hyperreactivity and inflammatory parameters were studied. Following intraperitoneal administration, monensin did not suppress airway hyperreactivity but was shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, as manifested by reduced eosinophil- and lymphocyte infiltration into the airway lumen, and by suppressed inflammation of the lung tissue. After intranasal instillation, monensin exhibited similar anti-inflammatory effects as seen after intraperitoneal administration. Moreover, intranasally administered monensin was demonstrated to suppress goblet cell hyperplasia, and to cause a reduction in the expression of genes coding for key inflammatory markers. Further, monensin blocked mast cell degranulation in the airways of allergen-sensitized mice. Together, this study reveals that monensin has the capacity to suppress key pathological events associated with allergic airway inflammation.

Keywords

Asthma; Inflammation; House dust mite; Monensin; Mast cells

Published in

Inflammation
2024
Publisher: SPRINGER/PLENUM PUBLISHERS

SLU Authors

UKÄ Subject classification

Respiratory Medicine and Allergy

Publication identifier

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10753-024-02090-7

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/131291