Tissue-type plasminogen activator depletion affects the nasal mucosa matrix reconstruction in allergic rhinitis mice

Probable Roles of Coagulation Cascade and Fibrinolysis System in the Development of Allergic Rhinitis

BACKGROUND

Dysregulation of the coagulation cascade and fibrinolysis system may play an etiologic role in many diseases. Allergic diseases such as bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis, and conjunctivitis are also associated with fibrin accumulation caused by a change in hemostasis. However, only a few studies have dealt with the relationship between allergic rhinitis (AR) and the coagulation system.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the difference of coagulation and fibrinolysis cascade components between an AR mouse model and a control mice.

METHODS

BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin. Multiple parameters of coagulation cascade and fibrinolysis system such as factors II, V, VII, X, and XIII; tissue-type plasminogen activator; urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA); plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1); and fibrin were compared between the AR model group and the control group.

RESULTS

The symptom scores and eosinophil counts were higher in the AR group than in the control group ( P < .01). The mRNA expression level of u-PA ( P = .040) was significantly lower, and the expression levels of factor II ( P = .038) and factor X ( P = .036) were significantly higher, in the AR group. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that most of the fibrinolysis system and coagulation cascade components were localized to the epithelium, endothelium, and submucosal glands of the nasal mucosa. u-PA was downregulated in the AR group, whereas fibrin deposition was more prominent in the AR group than in the control group.

CONCLUSION

In AR, particular components of the coagulation cascade were increased and fibrinolysis system was decreased compared to normal control. This difference may be associated with the fibrin deposition in the mucosa of AR mouse model.

Increased expression of YKL-40 in mild and moderate/severe persistent allergic rhinitis and its possible contribution to remodeling of nasal mucosa

BACKGROUND

Prominent expression of YKL-40 has been associated with pathological conditions characterized by tissue remodeling. We determined the expression level and distribution pattern of YKL-40 in allergic nasal mucosa and evaluated the effect of YKL-40 on the proliferation and migration of fibroblasts, the production of the mediators related to tissue remodeling, and collagen production. Additionally, the cytokine-driven regulation of YKL-40 expression was evaluated in cultured epithelial cells.

METHODS

The expression of YKL-40 in normal, mild, and moderate/severe allergic nasal mucosa was evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Western blot, and immunohistochemistry. Fibroblast migration was observed using a scratch wound method, and proliferation was determined by the MTT methods. Expression of proteoglycans, transforming growth factor (TGF) beta1, MMP2, MMP9, TIMP1, TIMP2, and collagen concentration were analyzed in fibroblasts treated with YKL-40. The expression levels of YKL-40 in cultured epithelial cells were examined after stimulation with mediators including Th2 cytokines, interferon (IFN)gamma, and TNF-alpha with real-time PCR and ELISA.

RESULTS

The expression of YKL-40 was up-regulated in allergic rhinitis and distributed in superficial epithelium, submucosal glands, and vascular endothelium, in addition to infiltrating cells. TGF-beta1, TIMP1, MMP9, and biglycan were up-regulated in fibroblasts on stimulation with YKL-40, accompanying increased proliferation and migration, and collagen production. IL-13, IFN-gamma, and TNF-alpha induced the increased production of YKL-40 in cultured epithelial cells.

CONCLUSION

YKL-40 is up-regulated in mild and moderate/severe persistent allergic rhinitis, and its expression can be regulated differentially by different cytokines, possibly contributing to the remodeling of nasal mucosa in allergic rhinitis.