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Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Development of Stem Cell-derived Antigen-specific Regulatory T Cells Against Autoimmunity
Published on: November 8, 2016
Pioglitazone attenuates allergic inflammation and induces production of regulatory T lymphocytes
Weihua Wang1, Zhenghua Zhu, Bingwei Zhu
1Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 150 Jimo Road, Shanghai, China.
Background:
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-gamma) agonists have been shown to be involved in the regulation of allergic inflammatory responses. The molecular mechanisms by which PPAR-gamma activation inhibits the inflammatory process have not been well understood.
Methods:
BALB/c mice received ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization followed by OVA intranasal challenge. Mice in the treatment group received intragastric administration with pioglitazone (PIO; 30 mg/kg) before each OVA challenge. Various allergic responses were then assessed.
Results:
The frequencies of sneezing and nose-scratching and eosinophil infiltration decreased significantly in the PIO treatment group compared with the OVA group (p < 0.05). The PIO treatment also showed that the levels of nasal cavity lavage fluid interleukin (IL)-5 and sera OVA-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) were markedly reduced (p < 0.05). PIO significantly increased the expression of Foxp3 mRNA (p < 0.05) and induced production of regulatory T lymphocyte (p < 0.01) compared with the OVA group.
Conclusion:
Given the potent effectiveness shown by PIO, we conclude that PPAR-gamma agonists deserve investigation as potential therapies for human allergic upper airway inflammation.
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