Assessment for microsatellite DNA instability in nasal cytology samples of patients with allergic rhinitis.
BACKGROUND
Genetic alterations, including microsatellite instability (MSI) and loss of heterozygosity (LOH), have been described in both malignant and benign diseases. Previous studies have successfully detected such alterations in sputum samples of patients with bronchial asthma (BA). The aim of this study was to assess the presence of MSI and/or LOH in nasal cytology samples of patients with allergic rhinitis (AR).


METHODS
Nasal brush samples and peripheral blood from 20 patients with AR were analyzed. DNA was extracted and analyzed for MSI and LOH using the following microsatellite markers: D16S289, D4S2394, D4S1651, DXS8039, D3S3606, and D2S2113, harboring potential susceptibility genes for AR and atopy. Microsatellite analysis was performed also in eight control subjects.


RESULTS
No MSI and/or LOH were noted in either the AR or the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Although MSI and LOH are detectable phenomena in sputum samples of patients with BA, this seems not to be the case for nasal cytology samples of patients with AR. Additional studies are needed, using a larger number of polymorphic markers, to assess if such a difference exists among two diseases otherwise very closely related.
Karatzanis
Alexander D
AD
Departments of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece. akaratzanis@yahoo.com
Samara
Katerina D
KD
Zervou
Maria
M
Tzortzaki
Eleni
E
Helidonis
Emmanuel S
ES
Siafakas
Nikolaos
N
Velegrakis
George A
GA
D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D003581:Cytodiagnosis; D005260:Female; D005819:Genetic Markers; D006801:Humans; D019656:Loss of Heterozygosity; D008297:Male; D053842:Microsatellite Instability; D008875:Middle Aged; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology
D005819:Genetic Markers