Downregulation of pIgR expression in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis

IgA represents a frontline defense factor in the airways, which is transported across the surface epithelium after binding to the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR). We observed that pIgR immunostaining is reduced in patients with severe COPD (Pilette, 2001) and correlated to reduced lung function and neutrophilic infiltration. Whether mechanisms of IgA secretion are affected in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) remains poorly known