HDAC8 impairs tight junctions in allergic rhinitis through Smad7 deacetylation

Allergic rhinitis (AR) involves Th2/Th17 immune dysregulation and nasal epithelial barrier dysfunction; however, the molecular mechanisms linking these processes remain unclear.

Here, we investigated whether histone deacetylase 8 (HDAC8) contributes to tight junction (TJ) disruption in AR by modulating Smad7 acetylation.

Primary human nasal epithelial cells and a house dust mite-induced AR mouse model were used in the study. HDAC8 was modulated via overexpression, siRNA knockdown, or pharmacological inhibition (PCI-34051). Smad7 function was assessed using wild-type and acetylation-mimetic (K64/70Q) mutants. Protein interactions and expression levels of HDAC8, Smad7, acetyl-Smad7, and TJ proteins (ZO-1, Occludin, Claudin-1) were analyzed by co-immunoprecipitation and western blot. Nasal pathology and serum cytokines were evaluated by histology and ELISA, respectively.

In AR mouse models, HDAC8 expression was upregulated and showed enhanced binding to Smad7, accompanied by reduced Smad7 acetylation and decreased TJ protein expression. PCI-34051 treatment or HDAC8 knockdown restored Smad7 acetylation and TJ protein expression. Notably, the acetylation-mimetic Smad7 mutant rescued HDAC8-induced TJ disruption, suggesting that Smad7 acetylation status is involved in this effect. In vivo, PCI-34051 treatment improved nasal epithelial integrity and modulated Th1/Th2/Th17/Treg-associated cytokine profiles.

These findings support that HDAC8-mediated reduction of Smad7 acetylation contributes to epithelial barrier dysfunction in AR, highlighting HDAC8 as a potential therapeutic target for restoring mucosal homeostasis.