Ca2+ -activated K+ channel-3.1 blocker TRAM-34 alleviates murine allergic rhinitis

The precise pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis (AR) remains unclear and AR is less easily cured. Recent evidence has suggested that calcium-activated K+ channel-3.1(KCa3.1) is implicated in the immune response of allergic and inflammatory diseases and TRAM-34 is a selective KCa3.1 blocker. However, little is known about its role in AR. We aimed to investigate the effect of TRAM-34 in a mouse model of AR induced by ovalbumin (OVA). The BALB/c mice were divided into six groups: untreated AR group, 200 μg TRAM-34 treated AR group, 400 μg TRAM-34 treated AR group, 200 μg TRAM-34 treated normal group, 400 μg TRAM-34 treated normal group and untreated normal control group. Histopathological characteristics were assessed by HE staining. KCa3.1 protein expression was investigated by immunohistochemistry and western blotting method, and mRNA expression of KCa3.1, stromal interaction molecule1 (STIM1) and Orai1 in nasal tissues were assessed by real-time PCR. Furthermore, concentrations of OVA-specific IgE, ECP, IL-4, IL-5, IL-17 and IL-1β in nasal lavage fluid (NLF) were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results showed that TRAM-34 administration into the nostril attenuated sneezing, nasal rubbing, epithelial cell proliferation, eosinophil infiltration and inhibited nasal mucosa KCa3.1, STIM1 and Orai1 expression in TRAM-34 treated mice compared with untreated AR mice and suppressed inflammatory cytokines in the NLF of TRAM-34 treated groups compared with untreated AR mice. In conclusion, TRAM-34 could effectively alleviate murine allergic rhinitis by suppressing KCa3.1 and leads to reduction of K+ efflux and Ca2 + influx, leading to inflammation reduction and allergic responses attenuation.