{
  "abstract": "Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a chronic inflammatory airway disease characterized by dysregulated type 2 immune responses and impaired mucosal immune regulation. Kynurenic acid (KYNA), an endogenous tryptophan metabolite with immunomodulatory properties, may influence inflammatory pathways, but its mechanisms in AR remain unclear. This study investigated KYNA in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced rat model of AR and examined the role of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) signaling. Methods: Rats were assigned to control, AR, vehicle, KYNA, desloratadine, and KYNA + AhR antagonist (CH223191) groups. Following OVA sensitization and challenge, behavioral responses, serum inflammatory markers, nasal AhR-associated proteins, regulatory cytokines, and histopathological changes in nasal and splenic tissues were evaluated. Results: OVA induced typical allergic responses, including increased sneezing and nasal scratching, elevated serum IgE, IL-4, and IL-6, and marked inflammatory changes in nasal and splenic tissues. KYNA significantly reduced behavioral symptoms, systemic inflammatory mediators, epithelial damage, and inflammatory infiltration, with systemic effects comparable to desloratadine but greater improvement in nasal scratching and splenic histopathology. KYNA restored nasal AhR and CYP1A1 expression and increased IL-10 and TGF-β, whereas CH223191 partially attenuated these effects, indicating involvement of AhR signaling. Desloratadine showed limited effects on local regulatory cytokines. Histopathological analysis confirmed improved nasal and splenic architecture following KYNA treatment. Conclusion: In conclusion, KYNA attenuates experimental AR through systemic anti-inflammatory effects and restoration of mucosal immune regulation. AhR signaling contributes to these effects, particularly in CYP1A1 and cytokine regulation, while additional mechanisms may also be involved. These findings support KYNA as a potential immunometabolic modulator in allergic airway disease.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran",
    "Student Research Committee, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran"
  ],
  "article_type": "Research Article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 5,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Naim Gheymoumi"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Sevda Shayesteh"
    },
    {
      "name": "Fatemeh Sharifi"
    },
    {
      "name": "Marziyeh Amiri-Andebili"
    },
    {
      "name": "Hediyeh Gheymoumi"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/aveycvzp1t3m4.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1371/journal.pone.0359624",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "aveycvzp1t3m4",
  "issns": [
    "1932-6203"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0359624",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "journal",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2723|Allergic Rhinitis and Sensitization"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Anatomy/Biological tissue/Epithelium/Mucous membranes/Nasal mucosa"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Anatomy/Respiratory system/Nasal mucosa"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Developmental biology/Molecular development/Cytokines"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Immunology/Clinical immunology/Allergies"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Immunology/Clinical immunology/Allergies/Allergic diseases/Allergic rhinitis"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Immunology/Immune response"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Immunology/Immune response/Inflammation"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Immunology/Immune system/Innate immune system/Cytokines"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Physiology/Immune physiology/Cytokines"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Physiology/Physiological processes/Sneezing"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Anatomy/Biological tissue/Epithelium/Mucous membranes/Nasal mucosa"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Anatomy/Respiratory system/Nasal mucosa"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Clinical medicine/Clinical immunology/Allergies"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Clinical medicine/Clinical immunology/Allergies/Allergic diseases/Allergic rhinitis"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Clinical medicine/Signs and symptoms/Inflammation"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Clinical medicine/Signs and symptoms/Sneezing"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Immunology/Clinical immunology/Allergies"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Immunology/Clinical immunology/Allergies/Allergic diseases/Allergic rhinitis"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Immunology/Immune response"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Immunology/Immune response/Inflammation"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Immunology/Immune system/Innate immune system/Cytokines"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Medical conditions/Inflammatory diseases"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Medical conditions/Nasal diseases/Rhinitis/Allergic rhinitis"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Otorhinolaryngology/Rhinology/Nasal diseases/Rhinitis/Allergic rhinitis"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7215078748",
  "pdf_url": "https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0359624&type=printable",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-01",
  "publisher": "Public Library of Science",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/aveycvzp1t3m4.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:37Z",
      "native_id": "10.1371/journal.pone.0359624",
      "source": "plos",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0359624"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "plos:immunology",
      "subfield": "immunology"
    },
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "plos:anatomy",
      "subfield": "physiology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Kynurenic acid attenuates experimental allergic rhinitis: Evidence for AhR-associated regulation of mucosal immune homeostasis",
  "title_text": "Kynurenic acid attenuates experimental allergic rhinitis: Evidence for AhR-associated regulation of mucosal immune homeostasis",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:17:37Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/aveycvzp1t3m4",
  "venue": "PLOS One",
  "versions": []
}