Proinflammatory Cytokines in Nasal Secretions of Allergic Subjects after Antigen Challenge

Abstract

To study the role of cytokines in allergic late-phase reactions (LPR), we measured cytokines (interleukins [IL]-113, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, and granulopyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor [GM-CSF]) in nasal secre­ tions (NS) of eight allergic subjects following antigen or saline provocation. NS were collected hourly for 10 h after challenge by a newly developed matrix method. All subjects recorded hourly symptom scores. Cytokines were measured using specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Compared with prechallenge values, significant levels of IL-113 were detected in all subjects during the immediate reaction (peak, 51.0 ± 22.4 pg/ml) and LPR (peak, 78.5 ± 22.6 pg/ml) after antigen challenges (p <0.01) but not saline challenges. In contrast, GM-CSF and IL-6 showed a delayed rise (peak, 26.4 ± 1.3pg/ml and 33.8 ± 10.0pg/ml, respec­ tively) at hour 4 in the antigen-challenge period (p < 0.Q1 versus saline). NS from 4 donors also showed detectable IL-5 (7.6 to 155 pg/ml) during the immediate reaction and LPR after allergen challenges (versus saline, p < 0.01). The levels of cytokine correlated (p < 0.05) with corresponding total symptom scores dur­ ing the immediate reaction (IL-113) and LPR (IL-113, GM-CSF, and IL-6). IL-2 and IL-4 were not detected in any sample. Thus, IL-113, IL-5, IL-6, and GM-CSF are present in the LPR of allergic rhinitis, and their correla­ tion with clinical responses may suggest their role in allergic inflammation. Sim TC, Grant A, Hilsmeier KA, Fukuda Y, Alam R. Proinflammatory cytokines in nasal secretions of allergic subjects after anti­ gen challenge. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 1994; 149:339-44.