OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the chloride channel protein CLC-3 is upregulated in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) and whether topical corticosteroid treatment decreases the expression of CLC-3. DESIGN: Histologic study. SETTING: Academic research. PATIENTS: Eighteen patients with AR were included in the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Expression of CLC-3 was detected by immunohistochemistry and by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction before and at 4 weeks after treatment with the topical corticosteroid mometasone furoate. RESULTS: Strong CLC-3 expression was detected in epithelium and in submucosal glands. An increased presence of CLC-3 was demonstrated in nasal mucosa compared with that in normal nasal tissue. A statistically significant difference in CLC-3 gene expression level was found in nasal tissues before vs at 4 weeks after treatment with mometasone. CONCLUSIONS: CLC-3 may have a role in modulating the pathogenesis of AR. Decreased expression of CLC-3 may be the mechanism of action of corticosteroid treatment in controlling AR.

Li H, Wen W, Cheng L, Shi J, Jiang H, Oh Y, Xu G.

Otorhinolaryngology Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital, and Otorhinolaryngology Institute, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China. entxgfess@163.com.