May zonula occludens proteins regulate the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis?

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the expression pattern of zonula occludens ZO proteins, namely occludin, claudin-1, tricellulin, junctional adhesion molecules JAM , and ZO-1, -2, and -3 in nasal mucosal biopsies of individuals with and without allergic sensitization. Patients and Methods: Between August 2011 and August 2012, a total of 69 patients 38 males, 31 females; mean age 28.0 years, range, 18 to 61 years who underwent surgery for nasal septum deviation were included in this cross-sectional study. All patients underwent skin prick test with environmental allergen mixtures. Cup forceps biopsy samples were obtained from the inferior turbinate during septoplasty. These samples were stained immunohistochemically for occludin, claudin-1, tricellulin, JAM, and ZOs. Staining intensity was graded semi-quantitatively using the H-Score. Results: Of all patients, 14 were atopic. Occludin, claudin-1, and JAM scores were significantly lower in the mucosal samples from atopic patients, compared to the non-atopic patients median 142.5 vs. 288, 153 vs. 296, and 156 vs. 312, respectively; p

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