Increased expression of tissue vascular endothelial growth factor and foetal liver kinase-1 receptor in seasonal allergic rhinitis and relevance to asthma component.
BACKGROUND
There is a difference in the extent of remodelling in allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma. This may be attributed to the difference in local tissue response to these mediators.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to compare vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor foetal liver kinase (Flk)-1 expression between seasonal AR patients with or without asthma and non-allergic controls as well as that between AR patients with and without asthma.


METHODS
Thirteen subjects with seasonal AR and six non-allergic controls were included in the study. Allergic sensitization was demonstrated by a skin prick test. Inferior turbinate thiny biopsies were obtained from both groups. Monoclonal mouse antibodies were used to demonstrate VEGF and Flk-1. Nasal mucosal endothelial cells' staining intensity was graded semi-quantitatively and the histochemical score (HSCORE) was calculated. In all samples, VEGF- and Flk-1-labelled vessels were counted for the assessment of vascular surface density (VSD).


RESULTS
The mean HSCORE for VEGF and anti-VEGF-based VSD were significantly higher in the patient group (P=0.001 and 0.002, respectively). The mean HSCORE for Flk-1 and anti-Flk-1-based VSD in the patient group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P=0.016 and 0.028, respectively). Differences between the mean HSCORE for VEGF and anti-VEGF-based VSD in patients with pure AR and AR and asthma were insignificant (P=0.16 and 0.39, respectively). The mean HSCORE for Flk-1 and anti-Flk-1-based VSD in patients with pure AR were significantly lower than those in patients with AR and asthma (P=0.004 and 0.018, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Angiogenic factor VEGF and its receptor Flk-1 is increased in AR. A similar increase in VEGF in AR with and without asthma despite a higher Flk-1 in AR patients with asthma may be a possible explanation for the presence of angiogenesis in the airway wall in patients with asthma but not in those with pure AR.
Yuksel
H
H
Department of Pediatric Allergy and Pulmonology, Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey. hyukselefe@hotmail.com
Kose
C
C
Yilmaz
O
O
Ozbilgin
K
K
Degirmenci
P B
PB
Pinar
E
E
Kirmaz
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D012882:Skin Tests; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2