Dynamics of soluble adhesion molecule levels in patients with pollinosis.

Abstract

To define the dynamics of systemic and local soluble adhesion molecule levels and to discuss the role of these molecules in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis. Randomized control trial. Twelve volunteers with Japanese cedar pollinosis and 7 healthy volunteers. The levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (sVCAM-1), soluble E-selectin, and soluble L-selectin in serum samples and nasal epithelial lining fluids (ELF) from 12 patients with pollinosis were measured 5 times throughout the allergy preseason to postseason, and the results were compared with those from 7 healthy subjects. The levels of sICAM-1 (P < .05) and sVCAM-1 (P < .05) in sera were up-regulated, and the levels of soluble L-selectin (P < .01) in sera were down-regulated during the early stage of the season in the allergic subjects. The difference between the levels of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 in sera in the early and mid-season was statistically significant in the allergic subjects (P < .05). The levels of sICAM-1 in ELF were up-regulated during the early and mid-season. The levels of sVCAM-1, soluble E-selectin, and soluble L-selectin in ELF were undetectably low throughout the preseason to postseason. There is evidence of the unique stage-dependent differential contributions of various soluble adhesion molecules in the pathogenesis of seasonal allergic rhinitis with a small amount of natural allergen provocation.