MALAT1 elevates the secretion of Th2 cytokines via miR-422a/NUP155 axis in allergic rhinitis mice

MALAT1 is one of the most well-studied lncRNAs in various diseases. This work attempted to investigate whether long non-coding RNA MALAT1 participate in the development of allergic rhinitis (AR). In this work, nasal mucosal tissues were obtained from AR patients. The mouse AR model was established by sensitization and challenge with ovalbumin. MALAT1, GATA3 and NUP155 were up-regulated, miR-422a was down-regulated in AR patients and mice. The sneezing number, rubbing number and rhinorrhea were increased in AR mice as compared with normal mice. The levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-9 and IL-13 were elevated in nasal lavage fluid of AR mice. MALAT1 deficiency repressed the secretion of Th2 cytokines in ILC2 cells, which was abrogated by NUP155 overexpression. NUP155 knockdown reversed the promotion of MALAT1 overexpression on the secretion of Th2 cytokines. Moreover, MALAT1 elevated NUP155 expression by sponging miR-422a. In vivo, MALAT1 silencing reduced the sneezing number, rubbing number and rhinorrhea, ameliorated damage of nasal mucosal tissues in AR mice. Similarly, NUP155 knockdown also significantly alleviated AR clinical symptoms, improved nasal mucosal pathology, and suppressed the secretion of Th2 cytokines in vivo. In conclusion, this work demonstrated that MALAT1 elevated the secretion of Th2 cytokines in ILC2 cells by regulating miR-422a/NUP155 axis, which contributed to AR progression. Thus, MALAT1 may be a potential target for AR treatment.