Notch2 suppresses the development of allergic rhinitis by promoting FOXP3 expression and Treg cell differentiation

Abstract Aims Notch signaling is closely related to a variety of diseases, but the role of Notch2 in allergic rhinitis (AR) remain unclear. This study was performed to investigate the effects of Notch2 on the differentiation of Treg cells and on the inflammatory response of AR. Materials and methods Peripheral blood (including 101 AR patients and 66 Controls) and nasal mucosa (including 19 AR patients and 17 Controls) were collected to detect the expression levels of Notch2, NICD2 and FOXP3. CD4+ T cells of human origin were selected to detect the effects of Notch2 on the differentiation of Treg cells and FOXP3. An AR mouse model was established, and lentiviruses overexpressing Notch2 were administered. Then, allergic symptoms, OVA-sIgE titers, nasal mucosal inflammation, Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokines and splenic Treg cells were assessed. Key findings Compared with that in the Control group, the expression of Notch2 in the AR group was decreased, and Notch2 expression was negatively correlated with the degree of allergy (P  Significance Notch2 promotes the differentiation of Treg cells by upregulating FOXP3 expression, thus significantly inhibiting the inflammatory response of AR.