Matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in the nasal mucosa of patients with perennial allergic rhinitis.
BACKGROUND
Allergic rhinitis and asthma show many similarities in their epithelial and inflammatory responses to allergens. However, one notable difference is that disruption and desquamation of the epithelium is a characteristic feature of asthma, whereas in perennial allergic rhinitis the epithelium is intact and thickened. One reason for this might be differing expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) or their inhibitors (TIMPs). There are few published data on the presence of MMPs or TIMPs in the nasal mucosa in rhinitis.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate MMP and TIMP mRNA and protein in nasal mucosa from subjects with perennial allergic rhinitis and from nonrhinitic control subjects.


METHODS
Biopsy specimens of nasal mucosa were taken from 10 well-characterized subjects with perennial allergic rhinitis and 10 nonrhinitic control subjects. MMP and TIMP mRNA was quantified through use of competitive RT-PCR, and protein was detected by means of Western blotting and ELISA.


RESULTS
TIMP-1 mRNA and TIMP-2 mRNA were present in nasal samples, but there was no significant difference between the 2 groups. Only small amounts of MMP-1, -2, -3, and -9 mRNA were detected in the same samples. The corresponding proteins were detected by means of Western blotting. TIMP-1 protein and TIMP-2 protein were quantified in tissue homogenates; there was no significant difference between the 2 groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Our studies have demonstrated the presence of large amounts of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 mRNA and protein in nasal mucosa. There is no upregulation of MMPs or changes in TIMP expression in the nasal mucosa of patients with allergic rhinitis.
Shaida
A
A
Department of Otolaryngology, St Bartholomew's and the Royal London School of Medicine and Dentistry, United Kingdom.
Kenyon
G
G
Devalia
J
J
Davies
R J
RJ
MacDonald
T T
TT
Pender
S L
SL
D015153:Blotting, Western; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1