Effect of Interleukin-4 and Histamine on the Fibroblast in the Nasal Mucosa of Allergic Rhinitis and Non-Allergic Rhinitis / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Fibrosis of the subepithelial layer is a characteristic finding in chronic allergic rhinitis. Heterogeneity of the fibroblasts in the nasal mucosa was already clarified and a different response of the fibroblasts can be expected from various stimulations occurring within the mucous membrane of the nose. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of fibroblasts in differentiation and function of fibroblasts in allergic mucosa of the nose. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the 3rd passage of fibroblasts taken from the inferior turbinates of allergic and non-allergic patients, we measured the proliferative potential by comparing cell growth in the culture system of fibroblasts, and calculated the doubling time and the percent change. We also compared the production of stem cell factor (SCF) and granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) after stimulation with interleukin (IL)-4 and/or histamine. Morphologic differences were examined by transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: In the case of non-stimulated fibroblasts, proliferation was prominent in the non-allergic group (NAG). However, the proliferation was remarkably increased in the allergic group (AG) on day 6 when the fibroblasts were stimulated with IL-4 and/or histamine. On the production of GM-CSF, both non-stimulated and histamine stimulated fibroblasts were more prominent in the AG than in the NAG, and the production of SCF in the AG was similar to that in the NAG in the non-stimulated fibroblasts. Also, the production of GM-CSF and SCF were remarkably increased in the AG on day 4 after histamine stimulation. Morphologic differences were demonstrated between the AG and the NAG. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that IL-4 could be involved mainly in promoting the proliferation of allergic fibroblasts in the exponential period, and the production of GM-CSF and SCF could be remarkable in the early stage of the culture period by histamine stimulation.