Analysis of differentially expressed serum proteins in patients with
allergic rhinitis at the initial stage of rush allergen-specific
immunotherapy
Abstract
Objective: To analyze the differential expression of related serum
proteins was detected in patients with AR who were sensitized to dust
mites pre- and 6-day post-RIT. Methods: Serum samples were collected
from 15 AR, 15 6-day post-RIT and 10 healthy control patients. This
analysis was performed using iTRAQ technique and was coupled with
2-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. To determine
the intimacy of the screened related differential proteins, a
hierarchical analysis was performed with Cluster 3.0 software, and the
results were visualized using Java TreeView software. Last, an ELISA was
employed to validate the selected CRP, CTHRC1 and WDR89 protein
expression data. Results: Compared with the healthy control group, the
most upregulated protein in the AR group and the most downregulated
proteins in the 6-day post-RIT group were CTHRC1 and WDR89. Compared
with the healthy control group, the most downregulated protein in the AR
group and the most upregulated protein of the 6-day post-RIT group was
CRP. The serum protein levels of CRP, CTHRC1 and WDR89 proteins were
determined by ELISA. It was found that the differential expression of
CTHRC1 and WDR89 in the AR and 6-day post-RIT groups were statistically
significant (P < 0.05), whereas no statistically significant
difference (P > 0.05) was found in the differential
expression of serum CRP in the AR and 6-day post-RIT groups.
Conclusions: We found that CTHRC1 and WDR89 might be associated with the
pathogenesis of AR, and they may play a regulatory role in the RIT.