Correlation of Nasal Fluid Biomarkers and Symptoms in Patients with Persistent Allergic Rhinitis

Peripheral Multiple Cytokine Profiles Identified CD39 as a Novel Biomarker for Diagnosis and Reflecting Disease Severity in Allergic Rhinitis Patients

Background

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common clinical problem, and immune cells and cytokines were proven to be pivotal in its pathogenesis. Our aim is to measure the peripheral concentrations of multiple cytokines in AR patients and identify novel biomarkers for diagnosis and disease severity.

Methods

Peripheral blood samples were collected from 50 AR patients, including 25 mild AR (MAR) patients and 25 moderate-severe AR patients (MSAR), and 22 healthy controls (HCs), and multiple cytokine profiling was outlined by Luminex assay. Cytokine levels were compared among the three groups, and their correlations with disease severity were evaluated. The candidate cytokines were further verified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in a validation cohort.

Results

Multiple cytokine profiling revealed that CD39 and interferon (IFN)-γ levels were reduced, and interleukin (IL)-13, IL-5, IL-33, and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) levels were elevated in the AR group than the HC group (P < 0.05). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves presented that serum CD39 and IL-33 exhibited strong diagnostic abilities, and serum CD39 and IL-10 presented capacities in distinguishing disease severity (AUC > 0.8, P < 0.05). Moreover, CD39 concentrations were decreased, and IL-10, IL-5, and TSLP concentrations were enhanced in the MSAR group more than in the MAR group. Correlation analysis results showed that serum CD39, IL-5, and TSLP levels were associated with total nasal symptom score (TNSS) and visual analogue score (VAS) (P < 0.05). Further data in the validation cohort suggested that serum CD39 levels were reduced, and IL-5 and TSLP levels were increased in AR patients, especially in MSAR patients (P < 0.05). ROC results revealed potential values of serum CD39 in diagnosis and disease severity evaluation in AR patients (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

This study highlighted that peripheral multiple cytokine profiles were significantly varied in AR patients and associated with disease severity. The results in discover-validation cohorts implied that serum CD39 might serve as a novel biomarker for diagnosing AR and reflecting its disease severity.

Secretoglobins in the big picture of immunoregulation in airway diseases

The proteins of the secretoglobin (SCGB) family are expressed by secretory tissues of barrier organs. They are embedded in immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory processes of airway diseases. This review particularly illustrates the immune regulation of SCGBs by cytokines and their implication in the pathophysiology of airway diseases. The biology of SCGBs is a complex topic of increasing importance, as they are highly abundant in the respiratory tract and can also be detected in malignant tissues and as elements of immune control. In addition, SCGBs react to cytokines, they are embedded in Th1 and Th2 immune responses, and they are expressed in a manner dependent on cell maturation. The big picture of the SCGB family identifies these factors as critical elements of innate immune control at the epithelial barriers and highlights their potential for diagnostic assessment of epithelial activity. Some members of the SCGB family have so far only been superficially examined, but have high potential for translational research.