• Yune Sung Lim, Tae-Bin Won, Woo Sub Shim, Yong Min Kim, Jeong-Whun Kim, Chul Hee Lee, Yang-Gi Min, and Chae-Seo Rhee.
• Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
• Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2007 Jan 1; 98 (1): 22-31.

BackgroundAlthough many studies regarding airway remodeling in asthma have been reported, only a few studies have investigated airway remodeling in allergic rhinitis.ObjectivesTo determine whether repetitive allergen challenge could induce airway remodeling in the nose and evaluate the effect of steroids using a murine model of allergic rhinitis.MethodsTo develop a mouse model of airway remodeling, ovalbumin-sensitized mice were repeatedly exposed to inhaled ovalbumin administration twice a week for 1 month and 3 months. Matched control mice were challenged with phosphate-buffered saline, and the treatment group received intraperitoneal dexamethasone injection. Trichrome, periodic acid-Schiff, hematoxylin-eosin, and immunohistochemical staining against matrix metalloproteinase 9 and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase 1 were performed to nasal and lung tissues, and the level of transforming growth factor beta in the nasal lavage fluid was analyzed.ResultsRepetitive ovalbumin challenge for 3 months induced circumferential peribronchial fibrosis in the lung. In the nose, subepithelial fibrosis, increased matrix metalloproteinase 9 and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase 1 expression, goblet cell hyperplasia, and submucous gland hypertrophy were observed compared with the control group. Features of airway remodeling were more prominent in the lung tissue. Administration of dexamethasone significantly inhibited these histologic changes.ConclusionAirway remodeling associated with long-term allergen challenge can occur in the nasal mucosa and the lung. Steroid treatment prevents airway inflammation in response to acute allergen challenge, as well as airway remodeling by long-term allergen challenge.

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