title: Expression and localization of platelet-activating factor receptor in human nasal mucosa.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Platelet-activating factor (PAF) has been thought to be a potent mediator of allergic rhinitis because PAF was recovered from the nasal lavage fluid of patients with allergic rhinitis after allergen provocation. Furthermore, PAF receptor antagonist attenuates the antigen-induced increase in nasal airway resistance and nasal vascular permeability in sensitized guinea pigs.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To clarify the expression of PAF receptor in human nasal mucosa by investigating PAF receptor messenger RNA (mRNA) expression and its protein localization using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemical analyses, respectively.
  
  
  METHODS
  Human turbinates were obtained after turbinectomy from 6 patients with nasal obstruction refractory to medical therapy. Total RNA was isolated from human nasal mucosa, and PAF receptor mRNA was detected in these tissues by using reverse transcriptase-PCR analysis. To identify the cells expressing PAF receptor protein, double immunostaining was performed using anti-PAF receptor antibody and monoclonal antileukocyte antibodies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Reverse transcriptase-PCR analysis of total nasal RNA demonstrated the expression of PAF receptor mRNA. The immunohistochemical studies revealed that anti-PAF receptor antibody-labeled eosinophils, macrophages, neutrophils, mast cells, lymphocytes, vascular endothelial cells, epithelial cells, and submucosal glands in nasal mucosa.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results may have important clinical implications for understanding the role of PAF receptor on upper airway diseases such as allergic and nonallergic rhinitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Sapporo Medical University, School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan. shira@sapmed.ac.jp
authors.forename: Hideaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shirasaki
authors.forename: Nobuhiko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Seki
authors.forename: Megumi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kikuchi
authors.forename: Etsuko
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kanaizumi
authors.forename: Kazumasa
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Nobuhiro
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Konno
authors.forename: Tetsuo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Himi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D010980:Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D010980:Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; C039351:platelet activating factor receptor