Zonula occludens-1 expression is reduced in nasal epithelial cells of allergic rhinitis patients.

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common allergic disease characterized by disruption of nasal epithelial barrier. In this study, we investigated the mRNA expression of zonula occludens-1 (), and and histone deacetylase 1 () and in AR patients compared to healthy controls. RNA samples were extracted from nasal epithelial cells of house dust mites (HDMs)-sensitized AR patients and healthy controls ( = 28 in each group). The RNAs were reverse transcribed into cDNAs for measurement of , , , and expression levels by quantitative PCR. The mRNA expression of was significantly decreased in AR patients compared to healthy controls ( = 0.010). No significant difference was observed in the expression levels of , , and in AR patients compared to healthy controls. We found significant associations of higher levels in AR patients with lower frequency of changing bedsheet ( = 0.043) and with AR patients sensitized to ( = 0.041). Higher expression of was observed in AR patients who had pets ( = 0.007). In conclusion, our data indicated that expression was lower in AR patients contributing to decreased integrity of nasal epithelial barrier integrity, and HDAC2 may be involved in the pathogenesis of the disease.