Soluble HLA-G molecule in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis.
BACKGROUND
Allergic rhinitis (AR) is characterized by T helper 2 polarized immune response. The soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) molecule has an immunomodulatory activity. However, so far, no study has investigated this activity in perennial AR (PAR).


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate serum sHLA-G levels in PAR patients and in a group of healthy controls.


METHODS
Twenty-five PAR patients were enrolled. A group of 50 healthy non-allergic subjects was considered as control. sHLA-G serum levels were determined by immunoenzymatic method.


RESULTS
Allergic patients had significantly higher levels of the sHLA-G (p < 0.001) molecule than normal controls. Moreover, there was a very strong correlation between sHLA-G and symptom severity and drug use (r = 0.85 and 0.793, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
The present study provides first evidence that serum sHLA-G levels are significantly increased in PAR patients. Moreover, sHLA-G might be considered as a biomarker for assessing clinical severity.
Ciprandi
Giorgio
G
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy. gio.cip@libero.it
Contini
Paola
P
Murdaca
Giuseppe
G
Gallina
Anna Maria
AM
Puppo
Francesco
F
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology
D015415:Biomarkers; D006680:HLA Antigens; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I