Increased expression of a disintegrin and metalloprotease 8 in allergic rhinitis

Abstract

Background: A disintegrin and metalloproteases (ADAMs) constitute a family of cell surface proteins containing disintegrin and metalloprotease domain which associate features of adhesion molecules and proteases. ADAM8 is a member of the ADAM family and has recently ben implicated to have a role in allergic lung inflammation. Therefore, our aims were to determine the expression of ADAM8 mRNA and protein and to localize ADAM8 protein in the nasal mucosa of patients with allergic rhinitis and control subjects. Methods: Inferior turbinate mucosa samples were obtained from 20 patients with allergic rhinitis and 20 matched healthy normal controls, ADAM8 mRNA was extracted from the inferior turbinate mucosa, and then reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was performed. Western blot testing was used to analyze differences in the level of ADAM8 protein expression between patients with allergic rhinitis and normal controls, and the ADAM8 protein was localized with immunohistochemical staining. Results: The level of expression of ADAM8 mRNA and protein in the nasal mucosa was significantly increased in patients, with allergic rhinitis compared with normal controls. ADAM8 protein was expressed in the epithelium, infiltrating inflammatory cells, and submucosal glands. Conclusion: ADAM8 is expressed in human nasal mucosa and is increased in patients With allergic rhinitis. These results suggest a possible contribution for ADAM8 in chronic inflammation of the nasal mucosa in patients with allergic rhinitis. (Am J Rhinol Allergy 25, e107-e111, 2011; doi: 10.2500/ajra.2011.25.3581)