Bergapten inhibits airway inflammation and MRGPRX2-mediated mast cells activation by targeting NR4A1.

Asthma is a serious global health problem affecting 300 million persons around the world. Mast cells (MCs) play a major role in airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and inflammation in asthma, their exact effector mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we aim to investigate the inhibitory effect of Bergapten (BER) on MRGPRX2-mediated MCs activation through asthma model. Mouse model of asthma was established to examine the anti-asthmatic effects of BER. Calcium (Ca2+ ) influx, β-hexosaminidase and histamine release were used to assess MCs degranulation in vitro. RNA-Seq technique was conducted to study the gene expression profile. RT-PCR and Western Blotting were performed to examine targeting molecules expression. BER inhibited AHR, inflammation, mucous secretion, collagen deposition and lung MCs activation in asthma model. BER dramatically reduced levels of IL4, IL-5, and IL-13 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), as well as inflammatory cells. BER also reduced serum IgE levels. Pretreatment MCs with BER inhibited substance P (SP)-induced Ca2+ influx, degranulation and cytokines release from MCs. BER also reduced the phosphorylation levels of PKC, PLC, IP3R, AKT and ERK, which were induced by SP. Furthermore, RNA-seq analysis showed that SP up-regulated 68 genes in MCs, while were reversed by BER. Among these 68 genes, SP up-regulated NR4A1 expression, and this effect was inhibited by BER. Meanwhile, knockdown of NR4A1 significantly attenuated SP-induced MCs degranulation. In conclusion, NR4A1 plays a major role in MRGPRX2-mediated MCs activation, BER inhibited AHR and inflammation in asthmatic model by inhibiting MCs activation through MRGPRX2-NR4A1 pathway.