ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the expression of galectin-3 and galectin-9 in mice nasal mucosa,and to explore the role of galectin-3 and galectin-9 in allergic rhinitis (AR).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty mice were randomly divided into AR group and control group, 10 mice in each group. Ten mice of BALB/c were sensitized intraperitoneally with 10 microg of ovalbumin(OVA) adsorbed onto 2 mg Al(OH)3 on day 1 and day 14. Mice was induced daily by intranasal daily administration of 10 microl of saline containing 100 microg of OVA from day 21 to day 28. OVA was replaced with saline in control group. Immunohistochemical staining was used to examine the expression of galectin-3 and galectin-9 in nasal mucosa. RT-PCR was performed to investigate the level of mRNA expression of complement galectin-3, galectin-9. The level of IL-4, IL-5 and IFN-gamma in peripheral blood were titrated by ELISA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Galectin-3 and galectin-9 were detected in both groups. Expression of galectin-3 and galectin-9 in group AR was higher than that in control group. Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated that the levels of galectin-3 and galectin-9 were positively correlated with the level of IL-4 and IL-5, but negatively correlated with the level of IFN-gamma.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Galectin-3 and galectin-9 might play an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis.</p>