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Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Immunofluorescent Labeling in Nasal Mucosa Tissue Sections of Allergic Rhinitis Rats via Multicolor Immunoassay
Published on: September 22, 2023
Effects of minimal persistent inflammation on nasal mucosa of experimental allergic rhinitis
Fei Lei1, Dongdong Zhu, Jianjun Sun
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital, Bethune Faculty of Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China.
Background:
Minimal persistent inflammation (MPI) is considered another piece of the complex puzzle of allergic inflammation. Although some studies regarding MPI have been reported, no study has evaluated the effects of MPI on the structure changes at the site of allergic reaction. This study investigates whether long-time MPI during allergic rhinitis (AR) results in some features of tissue remodeling in the nasal mucosa.
Methods:
An animal model of MPI was developed by repeated nasal challenge with low concentration of ovalbumin (OVA) in sensitized guinea pigs. The models were assessed by allergic symptom after antigen challenge, eosinophil infiltration in the nasal mucosa, and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM) 1 expression on nasal epithelial cells. The histopathological changes in nasal mucosa were determined by Alcian blue-periodic acid-Schiff and Masson's trichrome staining. The expression of transforming growth factor (TGF) beta(1) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 9 was examined by immunofluorescence under a confocal laser scan microscope.
Results:
When sensitized animals were challenged with the low concentration of 0.01% OVA, the symptom of sneezing disappeared, but there were still mild eosinophils infiltration and weak ICAM-1 expression, which indicated the success of MPI models. Moreover, the number of goblet cells and the percentage area of collagen deposition were both mildly increased. The expression of MMP-9 and TGF-beta(1) was also weakly elevated.
Conclusion:
We have successfully established MPI models and proved long-time MPI may result in mild features of remodeling in the nasal mucosa, which provide new insights into the unexpected potential effects of MPI on the structural changes.
Insights
Minimal persistent inflammation (MPI) in allergic rhinitis (AR) can lead to mild tissue remodeling in the nasal mucosa. This study established MPI models in guinea pigs, revealing increased goblet cells and collagen deposition, suggesting structural changes due to long-term inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pathology
- Otorhinolaryngology
Background:
- Minimal persistent inflammation (MPI) is a component of allergic inflammation.
- Previous research has not evaluated MPI's effect on tissue structure at allergic reaction sites.
- This study explores long-term MPI's impact on nasal mucosa tissue remodeling in allergic rhinitis (AR).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if prolonged minimal persistent inflammation (MPI) during allergic rhinitis (AR) causes tissue remodeling in the nasal mucosa.
- To establish and validate an animal model for studying MPI in AR.
Main Methods:
- Developed an animal model of MPI using repeated low-dose ovalbumin (OVA) challenges in sensitized guinea pigs.
- Assessed allergic symptoms, eosinophil infiltration, and ICAM-1 expression.
- Analyzed histopathological changes (goblet cells, collagen deposition) and expression of TGF-beta1 and MMP-9 via immunofluorescence.
Main Results:
- Successfully established MPI models, indicated by mild eosinophil infiltration and ICAM-1 expression.
- Observed mild increases in goblet cells and collagen deposition in the nasal mucosa.
- Detected weakly elevated levels of MMP-9 and TGF-beta1 expression.
Conclusions:
- Successfully established minimal persistent inflammation (MPI) models in an animal setting.
- Demonstrated that long-term MPI can lead to mild tissue remodeling features in the nasal mucosa.
- Provided new insights into the potential structural effects of MPI in allergic inflammation.
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