Abstract
Background:
Connexin (Cx) 26 plays a key role in maintaining the integrity of tight junctions. However, the expression and modulation of Cx26 in allergic rhinitis (AR) has not been well understood.
Methods:
We detected the expression of Cx26 in house-dust mite (HDM)-sensitized AR patients and investigated the Cx26 production and modulation in primary human nasal epithelial cells (HNECs) and BEAS-2B cells after treatment with the allergen Der p 1 from Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus.
Results:
We found that the mRNA and protein levels of Cx26 were significantly down-regulated in AR patients compared with the control. Der p 1 was found to induce protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) expression and suppress Cx26 production significantly in vitro. PAR2 siRNA was shown to prevent the suppression of Cx26 induced by Der p 1 in BEAS-2B cells.
Conclusion:
The suppression of Cx26 in HDM-sensitized AR patients is related to a PAR2-mediated pathway and might serve during the initiation and maintenance of AR. Targeting the PAR2-mediated Cx26 suppression may be a potential means of preventing allergic sensitization.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Adult
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Animals
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Antigens, Dermatophagoides / immunology
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Antigens, Dermatophagoides / pharmacology*
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Arthropod Proteins / immunology
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Arthropod Proteins / pharmacology*
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Cells, Cultured
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Connexin 26
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Connexins / genetics
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Connexins / immunology
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Connexins / metabolism*
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Cysteine Endopeptidases / immunology
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Cysteine Endopeptidases / pharmacology*
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Female
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Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
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Gene Expression Regulation / genetics
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Humans
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Nasal Mucosa / drug effects
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Nasal Mucosa / immunology
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Nasal Mucosa / metabolism*
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Nasal Mucosa / pathology
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Nasal Polyps / etiology
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Nasal Polyps / metabolism
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Pyroglyphidae
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RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
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Receptor, PAR-2 / genetics
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Receptor, PAR-2 / immunology
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Receptor, PAR-2 / metabolism*
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Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / complications
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Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / immunology*
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Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / metabolism
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Signal Transduction / drug effects
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Signal Transduction / genetics
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Young Adult
Substances
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Antigens, Dermatophagoides
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Arthropod Proteins
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Connexins
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GJB2 protein, human
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RNA, Small Interfering
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Receptor, PAR-2
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Connexin 26
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Cysteine Endopeptidases
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Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus antigen p 1