Abstract: BACKGROUND: As a multifunctional histone acetyltransferase, E1A binding protein P300 (EP300) is widely involved in biological processes such as gene expression regulation, cell growth and differentiation, and has been associated with a variety of inflammatory and immune-related diseases. However, its specific role in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis is unclear.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the changes in gene expression related to allergic rhinitis, analyze its association with programmed cell death, and search for potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. 
METHODS: (1) Gene expression data of patients with allergic rhinitis and the control group were collected from the GSE51392, GSE43523 and GSE206149 datasets. Differentially expressed genes were screened and weighted gene co-expression network analysis was performed. (2) From March 2022 to May 2024, 10 patients with allergic rhinitis who underwent vidian neurectomy and 10 healthy controls were recruited from the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University. Blood and nasal mucosal tissue samples were collected from the patients before and after surgery. (3) A rat model of allergic rhinitis was established and EP300 was knocked down. The rats were divided into control group, model group, model+shEP300-NC group, and model+shEP300 group. ELISA, hematoxylin-eosin staining, RT-qPCR and western blot assay were used to detect the levels of inflammatory factors, pathological changes in nasal mucosal tissues, and the expression of related genes and proteins. 
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) A total of 43 intersection genes were identified between allergic rhinitis and the control group. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis revealed that the Green module was strongly correlated with allergic rhinitis. Through intersection analysis with genes related to programmed cell death and common differentially expressed genes, the key gene EP300 was obtained. (2) Compared with the preoperative status of patients with allergic rhinitis, the levels of interleukin-4, interleukin-5, interleukin-13, EP300, LC3B, Beclin1, cleaved-Caspase were significantly decreased, while the expressions of p62 and Bcl2 in nasal mucous tissue were significantly increased after surgery. (3) Compared with the control group, the levels of interleukin-4, interleukin-5, interleukin-13, EP300, LC3B, Beclin1, and cleaved-Caspase were significantly increased, while the expressions of p62 and Bcl2 in nasal mucous tissue were significantly decreased in the model group. Compared with the model group, the above indicators had opposite changes. To conclude, EP300 can participate in allergic rhinitis by regulating inflammation, autophagy and apoptosis.

Key words: allergic rhinitis, autophagy, apoptosis, WGCNA, EP300