Protein arginine methyltransferase 1 contributes to the development of allergic rhinitis by promoting the production of epithelial-derived cytokines.

Background: Arginine methylation is a posttranslational modification mediated by protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs). Although previous studies have shown that PRMT1 contributes to the severity of allergic airway inflammation or asthma, the underlying mechanism is poorly understood.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the role of PRMT1 and its relevant mechanism in the development of allergic rhinitis (AR).

Methods: The expression levels of PRMTs and cytokines were determined by RT-PCR, and the localization of PRMT1 was determined by immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy. The levels of house dust mite (HDM)-specific immunoglobulins in serum and of cytokines in nasal lavage fluids were determined by ELISA. PRMT1 inhibition was achieved by siRNA and treatment with the pan PRMT inhibitor arginine N-methyltransferase inhibitor-1.

Results: PRMT1 expression was significantly increased in the nasal mucosa of patients and mice with AR. The degree of eosinophilic infiltration in the nasal mucosa was reduced in PRMT1 AR mice compared with wild-type mice. PRMT1 haploinsufficiency reduced the levels of HDM-specific immunoglobulins in serum and those of T2 (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13) and epithelial (thymic stromal lymphopoietin [TSLP], IL-25, and IL-33) cytokines in the nasal lavage fluids of AR mice. In nasal epithelial cells, HDM and IL-4 cooperate to enhance PRMT1 expression through a mitogen-activated protein kinase-dependent pathway. In addition, PRMT1 was essential for the production of TSLP, IL-25, and IL-33 in response to HDM and IL-4. Arginine N-methyltransferase inhibitor-1 treatment alleviated AR in the mouse model.

Conclusions: PRMT1 plays an important role in AR development by regulating epithelial-derived cytokine production and might be a new therapeutic target for AR.