[Nasal soluble levels of ICAM-1 in allergic rhinitis].
Adhesion molecules, such as intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), play an important role in the development of the inflammatory allergic response in the nose. ICAM-1 expression on nasal epithelial cells during allergic reaction is regarded as a major hallmark of allergic inflammation.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to evaluate the levels of soluble ICAM-1 (sICAM-1) in nasal epithelial lining fluid (ELF) in patients with allergic rhinitis.


METHODS
Seventeen patients with perennial allergic rhinitis (age: 34,6 +/- 14,6) were screened and the results were compared with those from 11 seasonal allergic rhinitis patients (age: 25.9 +/- 7.4) and 10 non-allergic patients.


METHODS
The study was performed outside the pollen season. The scores of subjective symptoms were estimated by two differents methods. First, on the basis of a visual analog scale for the symptoms including nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, sneezing and pruritus. This score was called "Autoscore" (fullmark =40 points). Second, on the basis of a four mark scale for each symptom defined (0 =no symptom, 1 =mild, 2 =moderate, 3 =severe). This score was called "Heteroscore" (fullmark =12 points). Specimens of nasal mucosa were collected by brushing the surface of nasal cavity. Levels of sICAM-1 and sECP (soluble Eosinophilic cationic protein) were measured by specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.


RESULTS
The levels of sICAM-1 in ELF were significantly higher (p <0.01) in patients with perennial rhinitis compared to patients with seasonal rhinitis outside the pollen season and to non allergic patients. Levels of sICAM-1 in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis were correlated with levels of sECP (p <0.003) and with the four mark scale scores (p <0. 03) but did not correlate with the visual analog scale scores.


CONCLUSIONS
sICAM-1 increased in nasal secretions during natural perennial rhinitis and could be considered as a representative hallmark for clinical severity and follow-up evaluation in perennial allergic rhinitis.
Gilain
L
L
Service d'Oto-rhino-laryngologie, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, France. Laurent.Gilian@u-clermont1.fr
Guichard
C
C
Beaujon
G
G
Mom
T
T
Monneyron
E
E
Saleh
H
H
Advenier
D
D
Caillaud
D
D
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D047091:Eosinophil Granule Proteins; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000276:immunology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000032:analysis; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000503:physiopathology; D011537:Pruritus / Q000503:physiopathology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012260:Ribonucleases; D012912:Sneezing / Q000502:physiology; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D015415:Biomarkers; D001798:Blood Proteins; D047091:Eosinophil Granule Proteins; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D012260:Ribonucleases