OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of P2X7R antagonist brilliant blue G (BBG) on aGVDH of mice after allo-HSCT.

METHODSaGVHD mouse model after HSCT was established and treated with the P2X7R antagonist BBG of different dosages (50 mg/kg and 75 mg/kg). After treatment, the survival, body weight, pathological and liver function of aGVDH mice were abserved, and the expression levels of P2X7, NLRP3, caspase-1, IL-1β, IL-18 mRNA and protein were evaluated by real-time PCR and Western blot.

RESULTSThe allo-HSCT aGVHD mouse model was successfully established, the intraperitoneal injection of BBG alleviated the aGVHD clinical manifestations including roachback, ruffled fur, skin peeling and weight loss of recipient mice, decreased P2X7R and IL-1β expression and reduced the mRNA levels of P2X7R, NLRP3, Caspase-1, IL-1β and IL-18. Furthermore, GVHD group receiving 75 mg/kg BBG showed most significant difference of these indexes.

CONCLUSIONBBG alleviates liver inflammatory damage induced by aGVHD after allo-HSCT, and decreases the expression of proinflammatory cytokines. Moreover, the protective effect of that of BBG 75 mg/kg group is better than that of BBG 50 mg/kg group.