The effects of physical exercise and smoking habits on the expression of SPLUNC1 in nasal lavage fluids from allergic rhinitis subjects

Objective: 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 mucosa( function and smoking habits. Methods: 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 rhinometiy. Results: 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 less than 0.01) and the SPLUNC1 levels were lower compared to non-smokers. A significant correlation was found between SPLUNC1 and vol2(increase) (pless than0.01; r = 0.53) in non-smokers. Conclusions: 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 SPLUNC1 in 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

Heterogeneity of molecular sensitization profiles in grass pollen allergy - implications for immunotherapy?

BACKGROUND: Data on molecular allergy diagnostics in adults with grass pollen allergy with regard to conjunctival and nasal provocation test outcome and specific immunotherapy is lacking to date. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether molecular allergy diagnostics for grass pollen allergens could help with predicting provocation test outcomes and serve as a basis for future component resolved specific immunotherapy. METHODS: Sera of 101 adults with grass pollen allergy was analysed for IgE against timothy grass pollen (Phleum pratense), rPhl p 1, rPhl p 2, nPhl p 4, rPhl p 5b, rPhl p 6, rPhl p 7, rPhl p 11 and rPhl p12 and correlated to the individuals' outcome in the nasal and conjunctival provocation tests and investigated in regard to a potential component resolved specific immunotherapy. RESULTS: An increasing number of sensitizations to timothy grass allergens was correlated to a positive reaction in the conjunctival (4.9 vs. 3.6, p=0.003) and nasal provocation tests (4.5 vs. 2.2, p=0.0175). In molecular sensitization profiles a substantial heterogeneity was detected, with none of the patients exactly matching the allergen composition of a previously published component resolved specific immunotherapy containing Phl p 1, Phl p 2, Phl p 5a/b and Phl p 6. The results indicate that in 95% of the patients a proportion of 50% of timothy-IgE would be targeted with such a specific immunotherapy, while in 50% and 10% of patients 80% and 90% of timothy-IgE would be targeted respectively. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Molecular allergy diagnostics is a prerequisite for future component-resolved specific immunotherapy due to the high heterogeneity of sensitization profiles. However, of current clinical relevance is the observed correlation between the number of sensitizations and provocation test outcome

Can Immunoglobulin E-measurement replace challenge tests in allergic rhinoconjunctivits to grass pollen?

BACKGROUND: There is minimal data available concerning the dose-response relationship between allergen exposure and clinical reactivity for outdoor aeroallergens, such as timothy grass pollen. Timothy pollen-specific IgE (sIgE) determinations might assist in predicting the clinical reactivity in patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC). METHODS: Allergen-sIgE antibody levels of timothy grass pollen were correlated with individual threshold doses eliciting allergic reactions in skin prick test (SPT), conjunctival (CPT) and nasal (NPT) provocation tests in patients suffering from pollen-induced rhinoconjunctivitis and healthy controls. RESULTS: One hundred and four patients with ARC (median age: 27 years; range: 18-64; females: 58%) and 36 controls (25 years (22-77); females: 70%) were included in the study. Ninety-six percent of the patients showed a positive reaction in the nasal and 57% showed a positive reaction in the conjunctival provocation. With regarding to titrated SPT, 98% of the patients showed a positive skin test reaction; correlating with the level of sIgE for timothy (P < 0.001). For both provocation protocols, there was no correlation between the provocation concentration at the reaction and the level of sIgE for timothy. The ratio of sIgE/total IgE correlated with the dilution level of SPT (P < 0.002) and CPT (P < 0.01), respectively. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A dose-response relationship between the levels of sIgE and clinical outcome of timothy allergen exposure could not be established. Although IgE-determination remains an important key element in allergy diagnosis, provocation tests are procedures of choice if the clinical relevance of an allergen has to be confirmed

Comparison of molecular multiplex and singleplex analysis of IgE to grass pollen allergens in untreated German grass pollen-allergic patients.

BACKGROUND: The ImmunoCAP ISAC 112 platform is the only commercially available molecular allergy IgE multiplex test. Data on the comparison of this rather novel test with the molecular singleplex ImmunoCAP IgE platform are lacking. OBJECTIVE: To compare the multiplex ISAC 112 platform and the singleplex ImmunoCAP platform in regard to IgE to grass pollen allergens in untreated grass pollen-allergic patients in Germany. METHODS: Serum samples from 101 adults with grass pollen allergy were analyzed for specific IgE (sIgE) to 8 allergenic molecules from timothy grass pollen and to the 112 allergenic molecules included in the ISAC panel. The results for the multiplex and singleplex tests were subsequently analyzed statistically. RESULTS: Comparison of sIgE to grass pollen allergens detected by ISAC 112 and the singleplex ImmunoCAP assay revealed the following correlation coefficients: 0.88 (rPhl p 1), 0.96 (rPhl p 2), 0.70 (nPhl p 4), 0.94 (rPhl p 5b), 0.92 (rPhl p 6), 0.85 (rPhl p 11), and 0.78 (rPhl p 12). CONCLUSION: Molecular testing with ISAC 112 correlates well with the ImmunoCAP platform for respective molecular timothy grass pollen allergens