Background: H2-EB1 molecule which is the homolog of Human HLA-DRB1 is proposed to be associated with allergic rhinitis (AR). Construction of H2-Eb1 knockout animal models provides a tool to elucidate the role of H2-EB1 and AR pathogenesis.
Objective: To establish the H2-Eb1 knockout model and investigate the H2-EB1 functions in H2-Eb1 knockout mice as a model of AR.
Methods: The Cre/LoxP system and ES gene knockout technology were applied to create heterozygous H2-Eb1 (+/-) knockout mice and their offspring of knockout homozygous(-/-), heterozygous (+/-) and wild type (+/+) H2-Eb1 mice. After identification, offspring of heterozygous (+/-) and homozygous (-/-) H2-Eb1 knockout mice were randomly selected to establish AR models to demonstrate the role of H2-Eb1 in AR pathogenesis.
Results: The H2-Eb1 knockout mice model was successfully established. The reproduction and feeding of the homozygous (-/-) H2-Eb1 knockout mice were successful. Compared with the control group, the serum OVA-IgE and IL-4 levels significantly increased, while IFN-γ levels significantly dropped (p<0.05) in the experimental groups. For the two experimental groups, the homozygous (-/-) mice group had lower serum OVA-IgE and IL-4 levels, and higher IFN-γ levels than their heterozygous (+/-) counterparts (p<0.05), concomitant with slighter allergic symptoms (gentle behavior and less eosinophils in nasal mucosa).
Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that knockout of H2-Eb1 gene could alleviate mouse AR Symptoms, indicating H2-Eb1 may play an important role in regulating Th1/Th2 balance during the pathogenesis of AR.