Lentinan attenuates allergic airway inflammation and epithelial barrier dysfunction in asthma via inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB pathway

Background Allergic asthma has been regarded as an inflammatory disease mediated by type 2 immunity. The treatment of progressive forms of asthma remains unsatisfactory despite substantial progress in drug development. Lentinan (LTN), a specific polysaccharide derived from Lentinus edodes , exhibits anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory functions. Nevertheless, the effect and underlying mechanisms of Lentinan on asthma remain unclear. Purpose This research investigated the regulatory role of Lentinan on allergic airway inflammation and epithelial barrier dysfunction in HDM (house dust mite)-induced asthma. Study design HDM-induced C57BL/6 mice received different dosages of Lentinan through intraperitoneal injections, to observe the effect of Lentinan against allergic airway inflammation and epithelial barrier dysfunction in asthma. Methods Mice were intranasally administered HDM extract solution on days 0, 1, 2 and on days 8 to 12, establishing the allergic asthma model. On days 8 to 12, mice were intraperitoneally administered varying doses of Lentinan (5/10/20mg/kg) 1h before HDM challenge. On day 14, samples were harvested for analysis. Cell counting, flow cytometry, ELISA, HE and PAS staining, IF staining, western blotting, RT-PCR, and bioinformatic analysis were conducted to delve into the underlying functions and mechanisms of Lentinan in asthma. Results Our study revealed that the treatment of Lentinan significantly ameliorated allergic airway inflammation and improved epithelial barrier dysfunction in experimental mice. Following Lentinan treatment, there was a significant reduction in eosinophil counts, accompanied by a diminished presence of type 2 cytokines. Reversal of epithelial barrier dysfunction after treatment was also observed. The therapeutic mechanism involved suppression of the PI3K/AKT/ NF-κB pathway. Conclusion Our research illuminated the protective role of Lentinan in allergic airway inflammation and impaired epithelial barrier, suggesting LTN could be an innovative and promising candidate for asthma treatment.

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