In asthma, airway epithelium remodeling can already be detected during childhood, and epithelial cells are more susceptible to virus and oxidative stress. Their exact role in natural history and severity of children allergic respiratory disease remains however surprisingly unexplored. This study aimed tp analyze dysfunctions of epithelium in dust mite allergic respiratory disease (rhinitis ± asthma) in children.

Differentiated HNECs gene expression profiling in context of Th2 and IFN cytokine stimulation

IL4, IL13, IFNalpha, IFNbeta, and IFNgamma

Unstimulated controls

Expression profilings of nasal epithelial cells collected by brushing were performed on Affymetrix Hugene 1.0 ST arrays. All allergic patients were sensitized to dust mite. 19 patients had an isolated allergic rhinitis (AR). 14 patients had AR associated with asthma. Patients were compared to 12 controls, their severity and control being assessed according to NAEPP and ARIA criteria. Infections by respiratory viruses were excluded by real-time PCR measurements. Cells were treated with IL4, IL13, IFNalpha, IFNbeta, IFNgamma, or control for 24h.