Indoor-air purification by photoelectrochemical oxidation mitigates allergic airway responses to aerosolized cat dander in a murine model

Portable air purifiers help improve indoor air quality by neutralizing allergens, including animal dander proteins. However, there are limited in-vivo models to assess the efficacy of these devices. Here, we developed a novel animal model of experimental asthma using aerosolized cat dander extract (CDE) exposure and compared the efficacy of select air purification technologies. Mice were exposed to CDE aerosols for 6 weeks in separate custom-built whole-body exposure chambers equipped with either a photoelectrochemical oxidative (PECO) Molekule filtration device (PFD) or a HEPA-assisted air filtration device (HFD) along with positive (a device with no filtration capability) and negative controls. Compared to the positive control group, the CDE-induced airway resistance, and plasma IgE and IL-13 levels were significantly reduced in both air purifier groups. However, PFD mice showed a better attenuation of lung tissue mucous hyperplasia and eosinophilia than HFD and positive control mice, indicating a better efficacy in managing CDE-induced allergic responses. Cat dander protein destruction was evaluated by LCMS proteomic analysis, which revealed the degradation of 2731 unique peptides on PECO media in 1 h. Thus, allergen protein destruction on filtration media enhances air purifier efficacy that could provide relief from allergy responses compared to traditional HEPA-based filtration alone.