Decreased Expression of E-cadherin and ZO-1 in the Nasal Mucosa of Patients with Allergic Rhinitis: Altered Regulation of E-cadherin by IL-4, IL-5, and TNF-alpha

Abstract

Decreased expression of epithelial junctional proteins was found in patients with allergic rhinitis. The disruption of epithelial integrity by IL-4, IL-5, and TNF-alpha in vitro indicated a possible role for these cytokines in the pathogenesis of patients with allergic rhinitis.