ERJ Open Research (Apr 2021)

Nasal upregulation of CST1 in dog-sensitised children with severe allergic airway disease

  • Ulrika Käck,
  • Elisabet Einarsdottir,
  • Marianne van Hage,
  • Anna Asarnoj,
  • Anna James,
  • Anna Nopp,
  • Kaarel Krjutškov,
  • Shintaro Katayama,
  • Juha Kere,
  • Gunnar Lilja,
  • Cilla Söderhäll,
  • Jon R. Konradsen

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1183/23120541.00917-2020
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7, no. 2

Abstract

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Background The clinical presentation of children sensitised to dog dander varies from asymptomatic to severe allergic airway disease, but the genetic mechanisms underlying these differences are not clear. The objective of the present study was to investigate nasal transcriptomic profiles associated with dog dander sensitisation in school children and to reveal clinical symptoms related with these profiles. Methods RNA was extracted from nasal epithelial cell brushings of children sensitised to dog dander and healthy controls. Blood sample analyses included IgE against dog dander, dog allergen molecules, other airborne and food allergens, basophil activation and white blood cell counts. Clinical history of asthma and rhinitis was recorded, and lung function was assessed (spirometry, methacholine provocation and exhaled nitric oxide fraction). Results The most overexpressed gene in children sensitised to dog dander compared to healthy controls was CST1, coding for Cystatin 1. A cluster of these children with enhanced CST1 expression showed lower forced expiratory volume in 1 s, increased bronchial hyperreactivity, pronounced eosinophilia and higher basophil allergen threshold sensitivity compared with other children sensitised to dog dander. In addition, multi-sensitisation to lipocalins was more common in this group. Conclusions Overexpression of CST1 is associated with more severe allergic airway disease in children sensitised to dog dander. CST1 is thus a possible biomarker of the severity of allergic airway disease and a possible therapeutic target for the future treatment of airborne allergy.