Chitinase-like protein YKL-40 from nasal mucosa as a biomarker of allergic rhinitis

Abstract

Background. Chitinase-like protein YKL-40 plays an important role in human atopic diseases. The aim of this study was to determine of the level of chitinase-like protein YKL-40 in the secretions of nasal mucosa of patients with chronic allergic rhinitis. Methods. Samples of allergic nasal mucosa were obtained from twelve patients with perennial allergic rhinitis. Measurement of nasal YKL-40 levels was performed with modification in duplicate using commercially available ELISA kits for YKL-40. The amount of nasal eosinophils and neutrophils were also determined. Results. There were significant differences between healthy volunteers and patients with allergic rhinitis for mucosal YKL-40 levels and the amount of nasal eosinophil and neutrophil cells, which have some characteristics closely associated with allergic response. The nasal YKL-40 levels in patients with allergic rhinitis were in tens times more higher than those in controls. Conclusion. Thus, we conclude that the level of chitinase-like protein YKL-40 was upregulated in allergic nasal mucosa compared with normal nasal mucosa, suggesting their roles in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis.