Expression of proteins associated with airway fibrosis differs between children with allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis

Abstract

Allergic rhinitis (AR) and allergic asthma (AA) exhibit similar inflammatory response in the airways. However, the remodelling is more extensive in the lower airways, suggesting that the inflammation itself is not sufficient for allergic phenotype. We aimed to analyse whether the expression of selected 27 inflammatory and fibrosis-related proteins may be altered in AR and AA in the paediatric population and whether the expression pattern is either similar (due to the inflammation) or disease-specific (due to the remodelling). We analysed 80 paediatric subjects: 39 with AA, 21 with AR and 20 healthy children. The diagnosis of AR and AA was based on clinical manifestation, lung function, positive skin prick tests and increased immunoglobulin E levels. Serum levels of selected inflammatory proteins were measured with custom Magnetic Luminex Assay. Statistical analysis was performed in Statistica v.13. CCL2/MCP1, GM-CSF, gp130 and periostin concentrations were significantly lower, whereas IL-5 levels were higher in AA compared to the control group. CD-40L, CHI3L1/YKL-40, EGF, GM-CSF and periostin levels were significantly decreased in patients with AR than in the control group. Comparison of AA and AR patients revealed significant changes in CHI3L1/YKL-40 ( P = 0.021), IL-5 ( P = 0.036), periostin ( P = 0.013) and VEGFα ( P = 0.046). Significantly altered proteins were good predictors to distinguish between AA and AR ( P < 0.001, OR 46.00, accuracy 88.57%). Our results suggest that the expression of four fibrotic proteins was significantly altered between AA and AR, suggesting possible differences in airway remodelling between upper and lower airways.

Pathological Roles and Clinical Usefulness of Periostin in Type 2 Inflammation and Pulmonary Fibrosis

“…Allergic rhinitis children differential diagnostic BM Significantly higher in AR patients than AA patients [115].…”

Airway Wall Remodeling in Childhood Asthma—A Personalized Perspective from Cell Type-Specific Biology

“…Volatile organic compounds such as propylene glycol contained in wall paint, cosmetics, and e-cigarettes have been reported to cause airway wall remodeling in children [27]. Comparing the airway wall structure between 39 children with allergic asthma to 21 children with allergic rhinitis and 20 healthy controls indicated a diseasespecific type of tissue remodeling in the upper airways in asthmatic children [34]. In a retrospective study collecting data over 10 years, inner city children with asthma were grouped according to lung function [28].…”

Does ABO Blood Type Implicate Susceptibility to Respiratory Abnormalities? A Controlled Cross-sectional Study among Indigenous University Students in Rivers State, Nigeria

“…According to Sobkowiak et al [20], asthma and allergic rhinitis share similar immunopathologic mechanisms, implying that the two diseases are manifestations of a single syndrome with a wide range of severity. Long et al [21] have suggested that genetic and environmental determinants of asthma also entail greater vulnerability to allergic rhinitis. The majority of studies on the impact of blood type on the risk of chronic respiratory disorders were published before 2000, and the most current findings focus on children asthma, which is one of the most frequent chronic childhood diseases [22].…”