Lysozyme levels in the nasal secretions of patients with perennial allergic rhinitis and recurrent sinusitis.
BACKGROUND
The association of perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) with recurrent sinusitis (RS) is well recognized. Anatomic abnormalities at the osteomeatal complex or ciliary dysfunction may play a significant role in some patients. However, for most patients with allergy, the determinants of RS are unknown.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether altered concentrations of antimicrobial peptides and proteins, such as lysozyme, lactoferrin, human beta-defensin-2 (HBD-2), and human neutrophil peptides 1 to 3 (HNP-1 to 3), contribute to the development of RS in patients with PAR.


METHODS
Nasal secretions were collected by vacuum aspiration from 15 individuals with PAR+RS, 16 with PAR alone, and 16 controls. Lysozyme and lactoferrin levels were determined in nasal secretions by using quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and HBD-2 and HNP-1 to 3 levels were determined in nasal secretions by using semiquantitative Western blot analysis. Eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN) levels were measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay as a marker of nasal eosinophilia in all 3 groups.


RESULTS
Levels of EDN were elevated significantly in patients with PAR+RS compared with controls. Lysozyme levels were decreased significantly in patients with PAR+RS compared with PAR alone or controls. Mean lysozyme levels were significantly lower in patients with EDN levels greater than 1,000 ng/mL vs those with levels of 1,000 ng/mL or less in the PAR+RS group. There were no statistically significant differences in lactoferrin, HBD-2, and HNP-1 to 3 levels among the 3 groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of eosinophils and their products and reduced lysozyme concentrations may be critical factors that predispose the airways of patients with PAR to RS.
Division of Pediatric Immunology, Allergy, Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.
V Cuneyt
VC
Kalfa
Sheldon L
SL
Spector
Tomas
T
Ganz
Alexander M
AM
Cole
D000328:Adult; D015153:Blotting, Western; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D047208:Eosinophil-Derived Neurotoxin; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000201:enzymology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D009113:Muramidase / Q000032:analysis*; D017817:Nasal Lavage Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D012008:Recurrence; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000150:complications / Q000201:enzymology*; D012260:Ribonucleases / Q000032:analysis*; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000150:complications / Q000201:enzymology*; D012882:Skin Tests; D023084:alpha-Defensins / Q000032:analysis; D023083:beta-Defensins / Q000032:analysis
C106641:DEFB4A protein, human; D023084:alpha-Defensins; D023083:beta-Defensins; C406413:human neutrophil peptide 1; C406416:human neutrophil peptide 2; C406427:human neutrophil peptide 3; D047208:Eosinophil-Derived Neurotoxin; D012260:Ribonucleases; D009113:Muramidase; D007781:Lactoferrin