title: Increased IL-22 level in allergic rhinitis significantly correlates with clinical severity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  IL-22 regulates various processes and has been linked to diverse effects. However, the importance of IL-22 in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis (AR) remains poorly understood. This study sought to evaluate the levels of IL-22 and IL-17A in AR patients and their association with clinical severity ofN AR.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-six AR patients and 22 normal controls were enrolled in this study. The frequencies of IL-22(+), IL-17A(+), and IL-9(+) T helper (Th) cells in peripheral blood of AR patients and normal controls were examined by flow cytometry. Serum levels of IL-22 and IL-17A in AR patients and normal controls were determined by ELISA. The clinical relevance of the percentages of IL-22(+) and IL-17A(+) Th cells as well as serum IL-22 and IL-17A levels were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The frequencies of IL-22(+) and IL-17A(+) Th cells, but not IL-9(+) Th cells, were significantly increased compared with those in normal controls (p < 0.05). Frequencies of IL-22(+) and IL-17A(+) Th cells in peripheral blood of AR patients significantly correlated with visual analog scale scores of nasal symptoms (nasal congestion and rhinorrhea; p < 0.05). Moreover, the serum levels of IL-22 and IL-17A were significantly increased compared with those in normal controls (p < 0.05) and significantly correlated with the levels of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae specific IgE in AR patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggested that IL-22 as well as IL-17A may play an important role in the regulation of Th2-skewed inflammation in AR patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, The First People's Hospital of Foshan City, Foshan, China.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.forename: Xi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bai
authors.forename: Wentong
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Xia
authors.forename: Weixiong
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Qingqing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Sisi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Yuxia
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Zhonglin
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Mou
authors.forename: Yuejian
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Huabin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides / Q000276:immunology; D040001:Dermatophagoides farinae; D040002:Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016906:Interleukin-9 / Q000378:metabolism; D007378:Interleukins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000276:immunology*; D065631:Rhinitis, Allergic / Q000276:immunology*; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology*; D064232:Visual Analog Scale; D055815:Young Adult; D000097043:Interleukin-22
chemical_list: D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D020381:Interleukin-17; D016906:Interleukin-9; D007378:Interleukins; D000097043:Interleukin-22