RESUMO
OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the pattern and value of the expression of T-bet in nasopharyngeal-associated lymphatic tissue (NALT) of patients with or without allergic rhinitis (AR).@*METHOD@#T-bet and CD4/T-bet expression in adenoids, tonsils and nasal mucosa was respectively detected with single stain and double stain of immunohistochemistry.@*RESULT@#The positive ratio of T-bet expression in tonsils, adenoids and nasal mucosa between AR group and the control group had statistically different (P < 0.05). There was statistical difference of T-bet expression in tonsils from AR group in three different age groups (P < 0.05). The difference was that T-bet expression in adults group was significantly lower than that in children group and adolescent group. There was no difference of T-bet expression among different age groups in non-AR group. There were some positive expression of CD4 and T-bet in tonsils, adenoids and nasal mucosa from two groups and most positive expression of T-bet on CD4 positive cell.@*CONCLUSION@#T-bet expression was down-regulated in NALT of patients with AR. T-bet expression of NALT is associated with allergic mucosal inflammation and functional status of NALT, as well as the weak Th1 response at the level of transfer factor in local mucosa of respiratory tract in AR patients.
