High density lipoprotein inhibited group II innate lymphoid cells proliferation and function in allergic rhinitis

More and more studies had suggested that dyslipidemia was closely related to allergic diseases. High density lipoprotein (HDL) often plays anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative roles by suppressing immune cell chemotaxis and activation. We aimed to explore the role of HDL in the regulation of group II innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) in allergic rhinitis (AR).

The blood lipid levels and their correlation with symptom scores of 20 AR subjects and 20 controls were analyzed. Purified ILC2 were stimulated by HDL and cytokines production were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and flow cytometry. The mRNA levels of GATA binding protein 3(GATA3) and retinoid-related orphan receptor α (RORα) expressed by ILC2 were detected using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

HDL level was significantly lower in AR than controls and correlated with the symptom scores. The serum HDL levels were negatively related to the increased number of ILC2, IL-5⁺ ILC2, and IL-13⁺ ILC2 in AR patients. HDL decreased the number of ILC2 and type II cytokines levels significantly by inhibiting expression of GATA3 and RORα.

Our data provide preliminary evidence that HDL may play a negative role in ILC2 inflammation in AR, suggesting that HDL may serve as promising treatment target in AR.