title: Effects of interleukin-31 on MUC5AC gene expression in nasal allergic inflammation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Interleukin-31 (IL-31) is a newly discovered T helper lymphocyte-derived cytokine that plays an important role in allergic inflammation. However, the effects of IL-31 on mucus production in nasal allergic inflammation are completely unknown.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of IL-31 on mucin gene expression (MUC5AC) in patients with allergic rhinitis and in human airway epithelial cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  Expression levels of IL-31 and IL-31 receptor A (IL-31RA) were evaluated in the inferior turbinate of patients with allergic rhinitis and non-allergic rhinitis with immunohistochemistry. IL-31-induced MUC5AC gene expression was measured with a MUC5AC luciferase reporter assay in human epithelial HM3-MUC5AC cells and quantified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in human airway epithelial A549 cells.
  
  
  RESULTS
  IL-31RA was primarily localized in submucosal glands and upregulated in allergic rhinitis. IL-31 was detected in submucosal tissue and increased in allergic inflammation. MUC5AC gene expression was induced by IL-31 stimulation both in HM3-MUC5AC and A549 cells. Additionally, IL-31 cooperated with Th2 cytokines on MUC5AC gene expression in HM3-MUC5AC cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IL-31 and IL-31RA are upregulated in patients with allergic rhinitis, and induce MUC5AC gene expression in human airway epithelial cells. These findings suggest that IL-31 plays an important role in mucus overproduction in nasal allergic inflammation.
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Japan.
authors: Said Ahmad
authors: SA
authors: Shah
authors: Hajime
authors: H
authors: Ishinaga
authors: Bo
authors: B
authors: Hou
authors: Mitsuhiro
authors: M
authors: Okano
authors: Kazuhiko
authors: K
authors: Takeuchi
mesh_terms: D002460:Cell Line; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007378:Interleukins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D055271:Mucin 5AC / Q000235:genetics*; D009093:Mucus / Q000378:metabolism; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin / Q000378:metabolism*; D065631:Rhinitis, Allergic; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C502187:IL31 protein, human; C502188:IL31RA protein, human; D007378:Interleukins; C524678:MUC5AC protein, human; D055271:Mucin 5AC; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin