Mechanisms of mast cell migration into the allergic nasal epithelium.

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Mast cells are increased in the nasal epithelium of patients with allergic rhinitis (AR). Yet, the precise mechanism is unclear. SCF is considered to be an important chemotactic factor for mast cells. Here we examined the levels of SCF, and other chemokines like RANTES, eotaxin, IL-8 in nasal epithelial layer and deep lamina propria. We also examined the levels released by cultured nasal epithelial cells (CNEC) and fibroblasts. We then analyzed the chemotactic activity of each of these chemokines for mast cells.By ELISA, we examined the levels of RANTES, eotaxin and SCF in homogenized nasal scrapings and LP of AR patients as well as CNEC and fibroblast culture supernatants. We studied the chemotactic activity by chemotaxis assay.The levels of RANTES, but not Eotaxin and SCF was greater in the epithelium than in the LP. Moreover CNEC produced higher levels of RANTES but fibroblasts produced higher levels of eotaxin, SCF and IL-8. At the 1 hr time point, RANTES induced more profound chemotasis of mast cells as compared to other chemokines and SCF.These results strongly suggest that RANTES is a critical factor regulating mast cell migration into the allergic nasal epithelium.