ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE To investigate the expression of SerpinB2 and SerpinB4 genes in cells from the nasal brushings in allergic rhinitis(AR) patients, and their relationships with eosinophil numbers in nasal brushings, serum total IgE level and severity of AR. METHODS Twenty nine control subjects and 59 AR patients[29 specific IgE positive AR(sIgE-P-AR) patients, 30 specific IgE negative self reported AR(sIgE-N-SR-AR) patients] were recruited. The samples of nasal brushings and peripheral blood were collected to detect SerpinB2 and SerpinB4 gene expression and eosinophil numbers in nasal brushings, and total IgE and allergen-specific IgE level in peripheral blood. RESULTS Expression of SerpinB2 and SerpinB4 genes in cells from nasal brushings were significantly higher in sIgE-P-AR [5.17(2.33-18.96), 0.6(0.355-1.08), respectively] and sIgE-N-SR-AR [3.27(1.59-13.4), 0.75(0.42-1.64), respectively] than that in control subjects[1.21(0.1-3.285), 0.29(0.165-0.505)] (sIgE-P-AR:P=0.013; sIgE-N-SR-AR:P=0.002). Expression level of SerpinB2 and SerpinB4 had no relationships with eosinophil numbers in nasal brushings and serum total IgE level. Expression of SerpinB2 in moderate/severe AR[4.74(2.68-47.5)] was significantly higher than that in mild AR[(1.333-5.603)](P=0.025); while expression of SerpinB4 in mild AR[3.95(2.6-7.59)] was significantly higher than that in moderate/ severe AR[2.83(0.715-5)](P=0.042). CONCLUSION SerpinB2 and SerpinB4 genes might be involved in the pathogenesis of AR, and their diagnostic values in AR deserve to be evaluated with larger samples.