Engineered water nanostructures inactivate cedar pollen allergens and attenuate allergic rhinitis in murine models

This study identifies Engineered Water Nanostructures (EWNSs)-electrically charged water nanoparticles containing reactive oxygen species-as a potent non-pharmacological tool for neutralizing Japanese cedar pollen allergens. By exposing pollen and its primary allergen, Cry j 1, to EWNSs, researchers observed a significant reduction in allergenicity within 24 h, effectively preventing dendritic cell activation and suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-6 and TNF-α. In vivo tests on BALB/c mice demonstrated that EWNS treatment significantly lowered IgE levels, inhibited the expansion of Type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2), and attenuated eosinophilic airway inflammation. Furthermore, seven days of EWNS inhalation was associated with higher peripheral oxygen saturation and lower Th2 cytokine expression, without adverse effects in the measured endpoints. These findings support the potential of EWNS pretreatment to lower the immunoreactivity of cedar pollen preparations and indicate short-term anti-inflammatory associations with EWNS inhalation under the conditions tested. Airborne pollen inactivation and comprehensive inhalation safety remain to be established.