title: Cytokine profiles in nasal fluid of patients with seasonal or persistent allergic rhinitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  New therapeutic approaches with biologic agents such as anti-cytokine antibodies are currently on trial for the treatment of asthma, rhinosinusitis or allergic diseases necessitating patient selection by biomarkers. Allergic rhinitis (AR), affecting about 20 % of the Canadian population, is an inflammatory disease characterised by a disequilibrium of T-lymphocytes and tissue eosinophilia. Aim of the present study was to describe distinct cytokine patterns in nasal secretion between seasonal and perennial AR (SAR/PAR), and healthy controls by comparing cytokines regulating T-cells or stimulating inflammatory cells, and chemokines.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nasal secretions of 44 participants suffering from SAR, 45 participants with PAR and 48 healthy controls were gained using the cotton wool method, and analysed for IL-1β, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-17, GM-CSF, G-CSF, IFN-γ, MCP-1, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, eotaxin, and RANTES by Bio-Plex Cytokine Assay as well as for ECP and tryptase by UniCAP-FEIA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants with SAR or PAR presented elevated levels of tryptase, ECP, MCP-1, and MIP-1β, while values of GM-CSF, G-CSF, IL-1β, and IL-6 did not differ from the controls. Increased levels of IL-5, eotaxin, MIP-1α, and IL-17 and decreased levels of IFN-γ, IL-12 and IL-10 were found in SAR only. RANTES was elevated in SAR in comparison to PAR. Interestingly, we found reduced levels of IL-4 in PAR and of IL-13 in SAR.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines were seen in both disease entities. They were, however, more pronounced in SAR, indicating a higher degree of inflammation. This study suggests a downregulation of TH1 and Treg-lymphocytes and an upregulation of TH17 in SAR. Moreover, the results display a prominent role of eosinophils and mast cells in AR. The observed distinct cytokine profiles in nasal secretion may prove useful as a diagnostic tool helping to match patients to antibody therapies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Großhadern of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Katrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: König
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Großhadern of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Klemens
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Großhadern of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Katharina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Eder
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Großhadern of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Marion
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: San Nicoló
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Großhadern of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377 Munich, Germany ; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55101 Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Großhadern of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Matthias F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Kramer
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Großhadern of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Moritz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gröger
keywords: Allergic rhinitis; Chemokines; Cytokines; Interleukins; Mediators; Nasal secretion