Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42169125›Full record

ArticleJournal of translational medicine2026

A pH-responsive miR-146a-loaded Gel/MSN nanocarrier enhances anti-inflammatory efficacy in allergic rhinitis through pyroptosis suppression.

Limei Cui, Yujuan Yang, Saike Hou, Guangkuo Wang, Hongfei Zhao, Yan Hao, Yakui Mou, Yu Zhang, Xicheng Song

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in Journal of translational medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Limei Cui *Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Qingdao University, Yantai, 264000, China.
Yujuan Yang *Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Qingdao University, Yantai, 264000, China.
Saike Hou *Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Qingdao University, Yantai, 264000, China.
Guangkuo Wang *Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Qilu Hospital (Qingdao), Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Qingdao, China.
Hongfei ZhaoDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Qingdao University, Yantai, 264000, China.
Yan HaoDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Qingdao University, Yantai, 264000, China.
Yakui MouDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Qingdao University, Yantai, 264000, China.
Yu ZhangDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Qingdao University, Yantai, 264000, China. superzhang013@163.com.
Xicheng SongDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Qingdao University, Yantai, 264000, China. drxchsong@163.com.ORCID 0000-0002-9789-1318

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAllergic rhinitis (AR) is characterized by Th2-dominant inflammation. MicroRNA-146a (miR-146a) is a critical regulator of immune balance in AR, yet its therapeutic translation is severely limited by poor stability and inefficient local delivery. This study aimed to construct a pH-responsive chitosan-coated mesoporous silica (Gel/MSN) nanocarrier for the efficient intranasal delivery of miR-146a, and to evaluate its therapeutic efficacy and underlying mechanisms in AR.

methodsThe Gel/MSN platform was fabricated and characterized for its structural properties, miR-146a loading efficiency, and pH-triggered release profile. For in vivo evaluation, the nanocomposite was administered intranasally to an AR rat model. Therapeutic efficacy was assessed via behavioral scoring, serum IgE measurements, and the analysis of Th2 cytokines and pyroptosis-related mediators in the nasal mucosa. Biocompatibility was systematically evaluated through 15-day subacute toxicity studies and in vitro cellular assays.

resultsThe synthesized Gel/MSNs possessed a well-defined mesoporous structure with a high specific surface area, enabling efficient miR-146a loading and sustained release under weakly acidic conditions. In vivo, Gel/MSN-miR146a exhibited excellent biocompatibility and markedly alleviated acute nasal symptoms in AR rats, significantly outperforming free miR-146a in reducing serum IgE and Th2 cytokine levels. Mechanistically, the nanocarrier enhanced local miR-146a bioavailability, effectively downregulating the IRAK1/TRAF6/NF-κB axis. Crucially, this treatment strongly suppressed the expression of pyroptosis-related proteins (NLRP3, Caspase-1, GSDMD) and effector cytokines (IL-1β, IL-18). Rescue experiments with the pyroptosis activator nigericin reversed the ameliorative effects of Gel/MSN-miR146a, confirming that pyroptosis suppression is essential for its anti-AR efficacy.

conclusionsWe successfully developed a biocompatible, pH-responsive Gel/MSN nanocarrier for the efficient intranasal delivery of miR-146a. This platform exerts potent anti-AR effects via a dual mechanism: inhibiting Th2-driven inflammation and suppressing pyroptosis, offering a highly promising and translatable nanotherapeutic strategy for clinical AR management.

Indexed as

Anti-Inflammatory AgentsDrug CarriersMicroRNAsNanoparticlesPyroptosisRhinitis, AllergicSilicon DioxideAdministration, IntranasalAnimalsChitosanCytokinesGelsHumansHydrogen-Ion ConcentrationImmunoglobulin EMaleAnti-Inflammatory AgentsChitosanCytokinesDrug CarriersGelsImmunoglobulin EMicroRNAsMIRN146a microRNA, ratSilicon DioxideAllergic rhinitisMesoporous silica nanoparticlesmiR-146apH-responsive hydrogelPyroptosis

Identifiers

PMID42169125
PMCPMC13374241

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.