MicroRNA profiles in nasal mucosa of patients with allergic and nonallergic rhinitis and asthma.

Background: Rhinitis and asthma commonly coexist and are oen regarded as "unified airways disease." Evidence exists that microRNAs are important in controlling inflam- matory processes, but lile is known about their role in air- way inflammation. The present study evaluated the inflam- matory profiles of patients with allergic rhinitis (AR), with and without concomitant asthma, and of patients with non- allergic rhinitis (NAR). Methods: We analyzed inflammatory cells, cytokines, and microRNAs from nasal biopsies and measured nasal nitric oxide (nNO) levels in 159 young adult subjects subdivided into 4 groups: (1) AR; (2) AR+asthma; (3) NAR; and (4) controls. Results: We observed the upregulation of T-helper 2 (Th2) cytokines and the trend of elevation of nNO levels in AR patients compared to controls. Subjects with current AR symptoms had increased levels of miR-155, miR-205, and miR-498, but reduced levels of let-7e. In addition, patients with positive skin prick test (SPT) reactions exhibited in- creased miR-155 and miR-205 expression and a decreased level of let-7e, compared to subjects with negative SPT find- ings. Concomitant asthma had lile effect on the inflamma- tory profile of AR. No significant changes in inflammatory markers were found in NAR patients compared to healthy controls. Conclusion: Our results suggest that microRNAs miR-155, miR-205, miR-498, and let-7e may be important in the aller- gic inflammation present in nasal mucosa. Regarding NAR, our findings support the view that mechanisms other than inflammation are pivotal. C � 2013 ARS-AAOA, LLC.