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Ascorbic Acid Suppresses House Dust Mite-Induced Expression of Interleukin-8 in Human Respiratory Epithelial Cells
An Jun Lee1, Joo Weon Lim1, Hyeyoung Kim1
1Department of Food and Nutrition, BK 21 FOUR, College of Human Ecology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract:
House dust mite (HDM) is one of the significant causes for airway inflammation such as asthma. It induces oxidative stress and an inflammatory response in the lungs through the release of chemokines such as interleukin-8 (IL-8). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) activate inflammatory signaling mediators such as mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and redox-sensitive transcription factors including NF-κB and AP-1. Ascorbic acid shows an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in various cells. It ameliorated the symptoms of HDM-induced rhinitis. The present study was aimed to investigate whether HDM could induce IL-8 expression through activation of MAPKs, NF-κB, and AP-1 and whether ascorbic acid could inhibit HDM-stimulated IL-8 expression by reducing ROS and suppressing activation of MAPKs, NF-κB, and AP-1 in respiratory epithelial H292 cells. H292 cells were treated with HDM (5 μg/mL) in the absence or presence of ascorbic acid (100 or 200 μM). HDM treatment increased ROS levels, and activated MAPKs, NF-κB, and AP-1 and thus, induced IL-8 expression in H292 cells. Ascorbic acid reduced ROS levels and inhibited activation of MAPKs, NF-κB and AP-1 and L-8 expression in H292 cells. In conclusion, consumption of ascorbic acid-rich foods may be beneficial for prevention of HDM-mediated respiratory inflammation by suppressing oxidative stress-mediated MAPK signaling pathways and activation of NF-kB and AP-1.
Insights
House dust mite (HDM) triggers airway inflammation by increasing oxidative stress and releasing interleukin-8 (IL-8). Ascorbic acid combats this by reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inhibiting inflammatory pathways.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- House dust mite (HDM) is a major allergen triggering airway inflammation, including asthma.
- HDM induces oxidative stress and the release of chemokines like interleukin-8 (IL-8) in the lungs.
- Reactive oxygen species (ROS) activate inflammatory signaling pathways, including mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and transcription factors NF-κB and AP-1.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if HDM induces IL-8 expression via MAPK, NF-κB, and AP-1 activation.
- To determine if ascorbic acid inhibits HDM-stimulated IL-8 expression by reducing ROS and suppressing these signaling pathways.
- To examine the effects in the H292 respiratory epithelial cell line.
Main Methods:
- H292 cells were treated with HDM (5 μg/mL).
- Ascorbic acid (100 or 200 μM) was administered in the presence or absence of HDM.
- ROS levels, MAPK, NF-κB, AP-1 activation, and IL-8 expression were measured.
Main Results:
- HDM treatment significantly increased ROS levels, activated MAPKs, NF-κB, and AP-1, leading to elevated IL-8 expression.
- Ascorbic acid administration effectively reduced ROS levels in HDM-treated cells.
- Ascorbic acid inhibited the activation of MAPKs, NF-κB, and AP-1, consequently suppressing IL-8 production.
Conclusions:
- HDM induces respiratory inflammation through oxidative stress-mediated activation of MAPK, NF-κB, and AP-1 signaling pathways.
- Ascorbic acid demonstrates potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting these pathways.
- Dietary intake of ascorbic acid-rich foods may help prevent HDM-mediated respiratory inflammation.
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