title: Increased expression of YKL-40 in mild and moderate/severe persistent allergic rhinitis and its possible contribution to remodeling of nasal mucosa.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Prominent expression of YKL-40 has been associated with pathological conditions characterized by tissue remodeling. We determined the expression level and distribution pattern of YKL-40 in allergic nasal mucosa and evaluated the effect of YKL-40 on the proliferation and migration of fibroblasts, the production of the mediators related to tissue remodeling, and collagen production. Additionally, the cytokine-driven regulation of YKL-40 expression was evaluated in cultured epithelial cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  The expression of YKL-40 in normal, mild, and moderate/severe allergic nasal mucosa was evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Western blot, and immunohistochemistry. Fibroblast migration was observed using a scratch wound method, and proliferation was determined by the MTT methods. Expression of proteoglycans, transforming growth factor (TGF) beta1, MMP2, MMP9, TIMP1, TIMP2, and collagen concentration were analyzed in fibroblasts treated with YKL-40. The expression levels of YKL-40 in cultured epithelial cells were examined after stimulation with mediators including Th2 cytokines, interferon (IFN)gamma, and TNF-alpha with real-time PCR and ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The expression of YKL-40 was up-regulated in allergic rhinitis and distributed in superficial epithelium, submucosal glands, and vascular endothelium, in addition to infiltrating cells. TGF-beta1, TIMP1, MMP9, and biglycan were up-regulated in fibroblasts on stimulation with YKL-40, accompanying increased proliferation and migration, and collagen production. IL-13, IFN-gamma, and TNF-alpha induced the increased production of YKL-40 in cultured epithelial cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  YKL-40 is up-regulated in mild and moderate/severe persistent allergic rhinitis, and its expression can be regulated differentially by different cytokines, possibly contributing to the remodeling of nasal mucosa in allergic rhinitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Se Jin
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Young Joon
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Jun
authors.forename: Tae Hoon
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jong Yoon
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Gyu Ho
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Kwang Jin
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Seung Hoon
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Heung Man
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Sang Hag
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D054392:Adipokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000328:Adult; D056151:Airway Remodeling; D002460:Cell Line; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D000071451:Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D018450:Disease Progression; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000276:immunology*; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D037102:Lectins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology*; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D054392:Adipokines; C084533:CHI3L1 protein, human; D000071451:Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1; D016207:Cytokines; D006133:Growth Substances; D037102:Lectins; C560822:TIMP1 protein, human; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1; D003094:Collagen; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9