It is well known that allergic airways disease is characterized by
inflammation and hyperresponsiveness, but the link between these two conditions has not been elucidated. We have previously shown that in
allergic rhinitis, hyperresponsiveness is attributable to increased neural reactivity. We thus hypothesized that
nerve growth factor (
NGF), which is expressed by inflammatory cells and effects changes that lead to increased neural responsiveness, could be a pivotal mediator in this disease. Using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western immunoblotting, and ELISA to evaluate
NGF expression and release, we found that subjects with
allergic rhinitis have significantly decreased
NGF mRNA in superficial nasal scrapings and significantly higher baseline concentrations of
NGF protein in nasal lavage fluids, compared with control subjects. Nasal provocation with
allergen significantly increased
NGF protein in nasal lavage fluids of subjects with
allergic rhinitis, but not of control subjects. The concentrations of
NGF protein in nasal lavage fluids were not affected by provocation with the vehicle for
allergen or with
histamine. These data provide the first evidence of a steady state of dysregulation in mucosal
NGF expression and release in
allergic rhinitis, and support a role of this
neurotrophin in the pathophysiology of allergic inflammatory disease of the human airways.