Construction of an Indole-induced Transgenic System and Its Therapeutic Effects on Allergic Rhinitis.

Abstract

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a prevalent chronic condition that significantly impacts patients' quality of life and strains healthcare systems. Current treatments, primarily involving therapeutic proteins such as antibodies and cytokines, have limitations, including injection requirements, short half-lives, and potential side effects. This study developed an indole-induced transgene system (ITS), utilizing the olfactory receptor Olfr205 to activate gene expression in response to indole. Incorporated in an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector (AAVITS), the system was tested in a mouse model of AR, with functionality assessed through in vitro experiments in Hana3A cells and in vivo studies. Cellular assays, flow cytometry, ELISA, and histopathological analyses were used to measure therapeutic protein expression, immune cell profiles, inflammatory cytokines, IgE levels, and tissue inflammation. The results demonstrated that the ITS effectively controlled gene expression, reduced inflammation, and improved tissue morphology, offering promise for targeted gene therapy in AR and other chronic inflammatory diseases. This article is open access and distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives License 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).