Concentration-dependent effects of PM2.5 mass on expressions of adhesion molecules and inflammatory cytokines in nasal mucosa of rats with allergic rhinitis

• Published in: European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology 2017-08, Vol.274 (8), p.3221-3229
• Main Authors: Wang, Ya-Lin, Gao, Wei, Li, Yue, Wang, Yin-Feng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Head and Neck; Head and Neck Surgery; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Neurosurgery; Otorhinolaryngology
• ISSN: 0937-4477; 1434-4726
• DOI: 10.1007/s00405-017-4606-8

Allergic rhinitis (AR) represents a clinical health issue affecting approximately 500 million people worldwide. This study aimed to explore the effects of airborne fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) on the nasal mucosa of rats with AR. Seventy-five healthy male SD rats were included and randomly divided into the normal, model, low-concentration, middle-concentration, and high-concentration groups (15 rats each group). AR rat models were established using sensitized mixture and were stimulated using different concentrations of PM 2.5 . Sneeze and nose-scratching events were observed. Automatic hematology analyzer was utilized to count white blood cells (WBCs). The serum IgE, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 expressions, eosinophil (EOS) infiltration, and IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-5, IL-33, and TSLP expressions were detected by ELISA, HE staining, and qRT-PCR. Greater numbers of WBCs, increased IgE level, elevated levels of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, EOS, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-5, IL-33, and TSLP in the model, low-concentration, middle-concentration, and high-concentration groups than the normal group. The same trend also exhibited in rats of the middle-concentration and high-concentration groups than that of the model and low-concentration groups. Comparisons between normal rats and AR rats indicated that AR rats exhibit remarkably higher cytokine expression levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-5, TSLP, and IL-33. The study revealed that as stimulation is triggered by PM 2.5 , AR rats result in increased levels of adhesion molecules and inflammatory cytokine expressions in a concentration-dependent manner. Analyses of PM 2.5 as well as, its effects on AR are crucial in the continued drive for both prevention and management of the disease.