May zonula occludens proteins regulate the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis?

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the expression pattern of zonula occludens (ZO) proteins, namely occludin, claudin-1,tricellulin, junctional adhesion molecules (JAM), and ZO-1, -2, and -3 in nasal mucosal biopsies of individuals with and without allergicsensitization.Patients and Methods: Between August 2011 and August 2012, a total of 69 patients (38 males, 31 females; mean age 28.0 years,range, 18 to 61 years) who underwent surgery for nasal septum deviation were included in this cross-sectional study. All patientsunderwent skin prick test with environmental allergen mixtures. Cup forceps biopsy samples were obtained from the inferior turbinateduring septoplasty. These samples were stained immunohistochemically for occludin, claudin-1, tricellulin, JAM, and ZOs. Stainingintensity was graded semi-quantitatively using the H-Score.Results: Of all patients, 14 were atopic. Occludin, claudin-1, and JAM scores were significantly lower in the mucosal samples fromatopic patients, compared to the non-atopic patients (median 142.5 vs. 288, 153 vs. 296, and 156 vs. 312, respectively; p