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Published on: April 13, 2010
Early decrease in nasal eosinophil proportion after nasal allergen challenge correlates with baseline bronchial
M Silvestri1, E Battistini, A C Defilippi
1Pulmonary Dept, G Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy.
Journal of Investigational Allergology & Clinical Immunology
|January 26, 2006
Summary
In children with house dust mite (HDM) allergies, allergen exposure causes early nasal eosinophil depletion. This change in eosinophils correlates with bronchial reactivity, highlighting the link between upper and lower airway inflammation in allergic rhinitis and asthma.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Allergology
- Pediatric Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Allergic rhinitis, an IgE-mediated nasal inflammation, is a risk factor for asthma in susceptible individuals.
- House dust mite (HDM) sensitization is a common trigger for allergic rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate early inflammatory changes in the nasal passages of children with allergic rhinitis and asthma following allergen exposure.
- To assess the relationship between nasal inflammation markers and bronchial reactivity.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated pulmonary function and bronchial reactivity (Pd20MCh) in children sensitized to HDM.
- Analyzed nasal brushing samples for neutrophil and eosinophil proportions, eosinophil degranulation, and ICAM-1/HLA-DR expression before and after nasal allergen challenge (NAC).
Main Results:
- Allergic children exhibited higher baseline nasal eosinophilia and ICAM-1/HLA-DR expression compared to controls.
- Nasal eosinophilia correlated with bronchial reactivity (Pd20MCh).
- NAC led to a significant decrease in nasal eosinophils and eosinophil degranulation, which remained correlated with bronchial reactivity.
Conclusions:
- Experimental allergen exposure in HDM-sensitized children causes rapid nasal eosinophil depletion.
- The correlation between allergen-induced nasal eosinophil changes and bronchial reactivity supports a strong link between upper and lower airway inflammation in respiratory allergies.
