The mast cell-stabilizing effects of inotodiol and lanosterol result from ubiquitin-mediated degradation of HMG-CoA reductase.

Inonotus obliquus

Metabolic healthLiver supportSkin & hydration

SpeciesChaga

JournalInternational immunopharmacology

Year2026

Key points

Inotodiol, a C22-hydroxy lanosterol uniquely found in chaga mushroom, possesses potent anti-anaphylactic and mast cell-stabilizing activities; however, its underlying mechanism remains poorly understood
Given its structural similarity to lanosterol and the established role of lanosterol in regulating HMG-CoA reductase (HMGCR) expression, we investigated whether inotodiol exerts its mast cell-stabilizing effects by blocking the mevalonate pathway through downregulation of HMGCR. Both inotodiol and lanosterol treatments reduced HMGCR expression; however, unlike lanosterol, inotodiol achieved this exclusively through ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation, without affecting the transcriptional activity regulated by Sterol Regulatory Element-Binding Protein (SREBP)
Both compounds suppressed FcεRI-induced mast cell activation, inhibiting secretory granule release and TNF-α production
Mechanistically, this mast cell stabilization was attributed to compromised cortical actin dynamics, resulting from impaired actin remodeling and turnover
Importantly, the mast cell-stabilizing effects of inotodiol and lanosterol were reversed by co-treatment with specific mevalonate pathway products such as mevalonolactone, farnesol, and geranylgeraniol-but not squalene-highlighting the significance of HMGCR downregulation and the consequent depletion of specific non-sterol isoprenoids used for biomolecule prenylation
Notably, the finding that inotodiol regulates HMGCR expression solely through ubiquitin-mediated degradation suggests its potential as a safer candidate for anti-allergic therapy, as it may avoid the transcriptional reprogramming of SREBP-regulated genes observed with lanosterol and statins

Metadata-grounded summary

Citation abstract

Inotodiol, a C22-hydroxy lanosterol uniquely found in chaga mushroom, possesses potent anti-anaphylactic and mast cell-stabilizing activities; however, its underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. Given its structural similarity to lanosterol and the established role of lanosterol in regulating HMG-CoA reductase (HMGCR) expression, we investigated whether inotodiol exerts its mast cell-stabilizing effects by blocking the mevalonate pathway through downregulation of HMGCR. Both inotodiol and lanosterol treatments reduced HMGCR expression; however, unlike lanosterol, inotodiol achieved this exclusively through ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation, without affecting the transcriptional activity regulated by Sterol Regulatory Element-Binding Protein (SREBP). Both compounds suppressed FcεRI-induced mast cell activation, inhibiting secretory granule release and TNF-α production. Mechanistically, this mast cell stabilization was attributed to compromised cortical actin dynamics, resulting from impaired actin remodeling and turnover. The impairment in cortical actin dynamics prohibited the assembly of the LAT signalosome, thereby forbidding PLC-γ1 activation, which is essential for calcium-dependent mast cell activation. Importantly, the mast cell-stabilizing effects of inotodiol and lanosterol were reversed by co-treatment with specific mevalonate pathway products such as mevalonolactone, farnesol, and geranylgeraniol-but not squalene-highlighting the significance of HMGCR downregulation and the consequent depletion of specific non-sterol isoprenoids used for biomolecule prenylation. Notably, the finding that inotodiol regulates HMGCR expression solely through ubiquitin-mediated degradation suggests its potential as a safer candidate for anti-allergic therapy, as it may avoid the transcriptional reprogramming of SREBP-regulated genes observed with lanosterol and statins.

Citation

Ye L, Naskar R, Hwang I (2026). The mast cell-stabilizing effects of inotodiol and lanosterol result from ubiquitin-mediated degradation of HMG-CoA reductase. International immunopharmacology https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intimp.2026.116370 PMID: 41707587

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