Pigment Epithelium Derived Factor Production and Its Effects on Vascular Endothelial Cells in Nasal Allergy

Abstract

We studied the role of pigment-epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) in allergic rhinitis pathogenesis. PEDF concentrations in nasal lavage from 54 subjects with Japanese cedar pollinosis measured by ELISA increased as nasal symptoms were exacerbated. The effect of PEDF on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) was examined and HUVEC proliferation was studied using BrdU assay and RT-PCR of c-fos. HUVEC apoptosis was also looked at using TUNNEL and Western blotting of creaved caspase 3. PEDF induced HUVEC proliferation by inhibiting HUVEC apoptosis at a low concentration. HUVEC apoptosis was induced by PFDF at a high concentration. Taken together, these results suggest that PEDF plays a key role in nasal allergy pathogenesis by regulating apoptosis and proliferating vascular endothelial cells.