Natural isoflavone formononetin inhibits IgE-mediated mast cell activation and allergic inflammation by increasing IgE receptor degradation

Food Funct. 2023 Mar 20;14(6):2857-2869. doi: 10.1039/d2fo03997d.

Abstract

Immunoglobulin (Ig)E-associated mast cell (MC) activation triggers pro-inflammatory signals that underlie type I allergic diseases. Here, we examined the effects of the natural isoflavone formononetin (FNT) on IgE-mediated MC activation and associated mechanisms of high-affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI) signal inhibition. The effects of FNT on the mRNA expression of inflammatory factors, release of histamine and β-hexosaminidase (β-hex), and expression of signaling proteins and ubiquitin (Ub)-specific proteases (USPs) were analyzed in two sensitized/stimulated MC lines. FcεRIγ-USP interactions were detected by co-immunoprecipitation (IP). FNT dose-dependently inhibited β-hex activity, histamine release, and inflammatory cytokine expression in FcεRI-activated MCs. FNT suppressed IgE-induced NF-κB and MAPK activity in MCs. The oral administration of FNT attenuated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reactions and ovalbumin (OVA)-induced active systemic anaphylaxis (ASA) reactions in mice. FNT reduced the FcεRIγ chain expression, via increased proteasome-mediated degradation, and induced FcεRIγ ubiquitination by inhibiting USP5 and/or USP13. FNT and USP inhibition may be useful for suppressing IgE-mediated allergic diseases.

MeSH terms

  • Anaphylaxis* / drug therapy
  • Animals
  • Cell Degranulation
  • Immunoglobulin E / metabolism
  • Inflammation / drug therapy
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Isoflavones* / metabolism
  • Isoflavones* / pharmacology
  • Mast Cells
  • Mice
  • Receptors, IgE / genetics
  • Receptors, IgE / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Receptors, IgE
  • formononetin
  • Immunoglobulin E
  • Isoflavones