Irander K, Borres M P, Ghafouri B
Allergy Center, ENT Section, University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden.
Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Sweden; Thermo Fisher Scientific, Uppsala, Sweden.
Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2014 Apr;78(4):618-22. doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2014.01.014. Epub 2014 Jan 23.
Palate lung nasal epithelial clone (PLUNC) is a family of proteins, which are proposed to participate in the innate immune defense against infections in the upper aero-digestive tract. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of SPLUNC1 in allergic rhinitis subjects with considerations taken to the mucosal function and smoking habits.
The participants, recruited from a cohort followed from infancy, were re-examined at the age of 18 years regarding allergy development. Based on medical histories and skin prick tests the participants were classified into groups with persistent allergic rhinitis (n=18), intermittent allergic rhinitis (n = 8) and healthy controls (n = 13). Seven subjects (3, 2 and 2 in each group, respectively) reported smoking habits. The SPLUNC1 levels in nasal lavage fluids were analyzed by Western blot. Changes in the volume of the proper nasal cavity before and after physical exercise (Vol2(increase)) were analyzed by acoustic rhinometry.
Compared to the control group the SPLUNC1 level was significantly lower in the persistent allergy group (3.8 ± 3.4 OD vs. 1.3 ± 1.5 OD; p = 0.02), but not in the intermittent allergy group without current exposure to allergens (3.6 ± 4.7 OD). No differences were found in Vol2(increase) between any of the allergy groups and controls. In smokers Vol2(increase) was significantly reduced (p < 0.01) and the SPLUNC1 levels were lower compared to non-smokers. A significant correlation was found between SPLUNC1 and Vol2(increase) (p < 0.01; r = 0.53) in non-smokers.
Current allergen exposure has an impact on SPLUNC1 expression in nasal lavage fluid, why allergy ought to be considered in study populations where analyses of SPLUNC1 levels are included in the reports. The normal nasal decongestion after exercise was not affected by allergy in contrast to smoking habits. The correlation between SPLUNC1 levels and Vol2(increase) in non-smokers may indicate involvement of SPLUNC1in the regulation of the normal function of the nasal mucosa. Complementary studies are needed to confirm the smoke-related reduction of SPLUNC1 expression and to analyze the possible participation of SPLUNC1 in the nasal mucosa regulation.
腭肺鼻上皮克隆蛋白（PLUNC）是一类蛋白质，被认为参与上呼吸道和消化道针对感染的固有免疫防御。本研究旨在探讨分泌型PLUNC1（SPLUNC1）在变应性鼻炎患者中的表达情况，并考虑其黏膜功能和吸烟习惯。
从婴儿期开始随访的队列中招募参与者，在18岁时重新检查其过敏情况。根据病史和皮肤点刺试验，将参与者分为持续性变应性鼻炎组（n = 18）、间歇性变应性鼻炎组（n = 8）和健康对照组（n = 13）。7名受试者（每组分别为3名、2名和2名）有吸烟习惯。通过蛋白质免疫印迹法分析鼻灌洗液中的SPLUNC1水平。通过鼻声反射测量运动前后鼻腔固有腔体积的变化（Vol2（增加））。
与对照组相比，持续性变应性鼻炎组的SPLUNC1水平显著降低（3.8±3.4 OD对1.3±1.5 OD；p = 0.02），但在当前未接触过敏原的间歇性变应性鼻炎组中未降低（3.6±4.7 OD）。变应性鼻炎组与对照组之间的Vol2（增加）无差异。吸烟者的Vol2（增加）显著降低（p < 0.01），且SPLUNC1水平低于非吸烟者。在非吸烟者中，SPLUNC1与Vol2（增加）之间存在显著相关性（p < 0.01；r = 0.53）。
当前接触过敏原会影响鼻灌洗液中SPLUNC1的表达，因此在报告中包含SPLUNC1水平分析的研究人群中应考虑变应性鼻炎因素。与吸烟习惯不同，运动后正常的鼻充血不受变应性鼻炎影响。非吸烟者中SPLUNC1水平与Vol2（增加）之间的相关性可能表明SPLUNC1参与鼻黏膜正常功能的调节。需要进行补充研究以证实与吸烟相关的SPLUNC1表达降低，并分析SPLUNC1在鼻黏膜调节中的可能参与情况。
