Soluble HLA-G molecule in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is characterized by T helper 2 polarized immune response. The soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) molecule has an immunomodulatory activity. However, so far, no study has investigated this activity in perennial AR (PAR). Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate serum sHLA-G levels in PAR patients and in a group of healthy controls. Methods: Twenty-five PAR patients were enrolled. A group of 50 healthy non-allergic subjects was considered as control. sHLA-G serum levels were determined by immunoenzymatic method. Results:Allergic patients had significantly higher levels of the sHLA-G (p <0.001) molecule than normal controls. Moreover, there was a very strong correlation between sHLA-G and symptom severity and drug use (r = 0.85 and 0.793, respectively). Conclusion: The present study provides first evidence that serum sHLA-G levels are significantly increased in PAR patients. Moreover, sHLA-G might be considered as a biomarker for assessing clinical severity.