Soluble HLA-G molecule in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is characterized by T helper 2 polarized immune response. The soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) molecule has an immunomodulatory activity. However, so far, no study has investigated this activity in perennial AR (PAR).

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate serum sHLA-G levels in PAR patients and in a group of healthy controls.

METHODS

Twenty-five PAR patients were enrolled. A group of 50 healthy non-allergic subjects was considered as control. sHLA-G serum levels were determined by immunoenzymatic method.

RESULTS

Allergic patients had significantly higher levels of the sHLA-G (p < 0.001) molecule than normal controls. Moreover, there was a very strong correlation between sHLA-G and symptom severity and drug use (r = 0.85 and 0.793, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The present study provides first evidence that serum sHLA-G levels are significantly increased in PAR patients. Moreover, sHLA-G might be considered as a biomarker for assessing clinical severity.