The role of local antibody responses in the nasal inflammation of allergic rhinitis (AR) patients

Background and purpose: AR is a common and increasing allergic disease, in which D.farinae is the most common causative allergen. The aim of this study is to compare locally produced antibodies to D.farinae in nasal mucosa between positive and negative responders to nasal provocation test(NPT) to D.farinae and evaluate relationships with the levels of inflammatory mediators.

Subjects and methods: Sixty AR patients with went through NPT to D.farinae. The sinus packs were placed into patients’ both nasal cavities for 5 minutes to earn nasal secretion after NPT. Total IgE, specific IgE to D. farinae, ECP, IL-8, VEGF and tryptase levels were measured by using ImmunoCAP (ThermoFisher, Uppsala, Sweden). D.farinae-specific IgE, IgA, IgG and secretory IgA antibodies were measured by ELISA. IL-8 and VEGF levels were measured by ELISA kit(Endogen, Woburn, MA and R&D Systems, Inc, Minneapolis, MN, respectively) .

Results: High levels of total IgE, specific IgE, specific IgG, specific IgA, secretory IgA as well as ECP, IL-8, VEGF and tryptase were detected in nasal secretion, but showed no significant differences between positive and negative responders. Inflammatory mediators including ECP, IL-8 and VEGF were not only detected but well correlated with specific antibodies to D.farinae ( P<0.05, respectively). Compared to ELISA method, ImmunoCAP system is more sensitive in detection of specific IgE to D.farinae. Difference between right and left nasal secretion had no statistical significance.

Conclusion: These findings confirmed the presence of specific antibodies to D.farinae-sensitive AR patients. Localized antibodies abundant in nasal mucosa may have a role in the nasal inflammation of AR patients sensitized to D.farinae.