Differential expression of surfactant protein A in the nasal mucosa of patients with allergy symptoms.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize surfactant protein A (SP-A) expression in human nasal tissue and correlate differential expression of SP-A with symptoms suggestive of allergic rhinitis.


METHODS
Allergic rhinitis symptom data were prospectively collected in the form of the Rhinitis Symptom Utility Index, the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire, and a Visual Analog Scale. Immunohistochemical staining for SP-A was performed on resected nasal tissue. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction amplification of the SP-A gene referenced to beta-actin was performed on complementary DNA samples synthesized from total RNA isolates.


METHODS
Academic tertiary referral center, department of otolaryngology laboratories.


METHODS
Twenty-five consecutive patients undergoing nasal surgery.


METHODS
Immunohistochemical staining of SP-A in human nasal mucosa and submucosa, polymerase chain reaction amplification of SP-A messenger RNA, and rhinitis symptom scores.


RESULTS
Immunostaining localized SP-A to the mucosa and submucosal glands in specimens. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction demonstrated correlation between SP-A messenger RNA concentration and the total Rhinitis Symptom Utility Index score (0.51, P = .009) as well as "sneezing over the previous week" (0.40, P = .049), "runny nose over the previous week" (0.55, P = .005), and "sneezing today" (0.47, P = .02).


CONCLUSIONS
To our knowledge, this is the first report of SP-A expression in human nasal tissue. Furthermore, the degree of expression correlated with severity of disease as measured by the Rhinitis Symptom Utility Index in patients with allergic rhinitis symptoms.
Wootten
Christopher T
CT
Department of Otolaryngology, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn, USA. christopher.t.wooten@vanderbilt.edu
Labadie
Robert F
RF
Chen
Anton
A
Lane
Kirk F
KF
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D037662:Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein A / Q000378:metabolism*; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants / Q000378:metabolism*; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000378:metabolism*; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000378:metabolism*
D037662:Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein A; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants