Neural expression and increased lavage fluid levels of secretoneurin in seasonal allergic rhinitis.

• Secretoneurin is a neuropeptide potentially involved in migration of eosinophils, monocytes, and dendritic cells. Whether secretoneurin is present in the human airway mucosa and whether it is released at ongoing allergic airway inflammation is currently unknown. In patients with allergic rhinitis, we have explored the occurrence of secretoneurin in nasal mucosal biopsies and lavage fluids before and during natural allergen exposure. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed an abundance of nerves displaying secretoneurin immunoreactivity, which were distributed predominantly around blood vessels and submucosal glands. A majority of nerve fibers containing vesicular acetylcholine transporter, tyrosine hydroxylase, calcitonin gene–related peptide, and vasoactive intestinal peptide were also secretoneurin-immunoreactive, indicating a localization of secretoneurin in cholinergic, adrenergic, and sensory nerves. Lavage fluid levels of secretoneurin were increased at allergen exposure (p < 0.01–0.05). Levels of secretoneurin did not correlate with eosinophil cationic protein ({rho} = 0.1, p = 0.7). We conclude that secretoneurin has a widespread occurrence in nasal mucosal nerves of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis and that increased nasal lavage fluid levels of secretoneurin may characterize ongoing allergen exposure. These data favor a role of secretoneurin in the local traffic of immune cells in human airway mucosa.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Lungmedicin och allergi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Respiratory Medicine and Allergy (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

allergic airway inflammation

neuropeptides

eosinophils

Publikations- och innehållstyp

art (ämneskategori)

ref (ämneskategori)