Molecular hydrogen alleviates asthma through inhibiting IL-33/ILC2 axis

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Molecular Biology
• Respiratory Medicine

Background:

• Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease driven by type II inflammation.
• Understanding asthma pathogenesis is crucial for developing effective treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the therapeutic potential of molecular hydrogen (H₂) in asthma.
• To elucidate the mechanisms by which H₂ affects asthma pathogenesis.

Main Methods:

• Established ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma mouse and house dust mite (HDM)-treated 16HBE cell models.
• Administered a hydrogen/oxygen mixture to treat asthmatic models.
• Quantified cytokines, immune cell populations (ILC2), and key protein/gene expressions (E-cadherin, ZO-1, NF-κB, IL-33, ST2) using ELISA, qPCR, Western blot, and flow cytometry.

Main Results:

• H₂ significantly inhibited OVA-induced increases in serum/BALF IL-33 and other type II cytokines.
• H₂ suppressed NF-κB, ST2 expression, and ILC2 population expansion in asthmatic mice.
• H₂ treatment restored E-cadherin and ZO-1 levels, alleviating airway epithelial barrier dysfunction and HDM-induced apoptosis.

Conclusions:

• Molecular hydrogen demonstrates significant efficacy in suppressing allergen-induced asthma.
• H₂ warrants further development as a therapeutic agent for asthma and other type II inflammatory diseases.