[Expression of OX40 and Bcl-2 in allergic rhinitis].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of OX40 and Bcl-2 in allergic rhinitis(AR).

METHOD

Twenty-three subjects of allergic rhinitis as experimental group were collected and 20 subjects of deflection of nasal septum as control group. OX40 and Bcl-2 expression were examined in biopsy specimens of AR patients and nasal septum patients by immunohistochemistry respectively. The relationship between OX40 and Bcl-2 expression was analyzed.

RESULT

OX40 and Bcl-2 expression increased in the AR patients. There were positive staining not only in CD4+ T cells,but also in vascular endothelial cell, epithelial cell and glandular epithelium cell (P < 0.01). Compared with control group, the expression of OX40 (0.239 4 +/- 0.033 5) and Bcl-2 (0.237 3 +/- 0.042 1) were significantly higher than that in control group (P < 0.01). The OX40 expression was closely related to Bcl-2 expression (r = 0.869 0, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The abnormal expression of costimulatory molecule OX40 is well evidenced in AR. Bcl-2 expression is likely mediated by OX40 signal pathway.