Abstract
Objectives
Several studies have reported that inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was expressed within the epithelial cell of the trachea in asthmic patients and asthmic model animals. However, neither appearance nor localization of iNOS in the nasal mucosa of allergic rhinitis has been examined. This research clarifies expression and the localization of iNOS in the nasal mucosa of allergic rhinitis by using the allergic model mice.
Methods
Allergic rhinitis was induced in male mice at 6 weeks of age using purified Japanese cedar pollen allergen (Cry j 1). Cry j 1 was injected 2 times into the abdomen (day 0 and 4) and administered intranasally for 7 consecutive days (day 9–15). On day 22, the expression and localization of iNOS in nasal mucosa of both allergic rhinitis model and control mice were examined by immunohistochemistry.
Results
In control mice, the expression of iNOS was localized in olfactory nerve, nasal gland beneath the respiratory epithelium and vascular endothelial cells. In allergic rhinitis group, the expression of iNOS was not only localized in olfactory nerve, nasal gland, and vascular endothelial cells, but also in olfactory epithelium and respiratory epithelium.
Conclusions
The expression of iNOS was increased in olfactory epithelium and respiratory epithelium of allergic rhinitis mice compared with controls.
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