Gene expression in nasal lavage from hairdressers exposed to persulphate

Abstract

ObjectivesMany hairdressers experience work-related symptoms from the airways caused by bleaching powder. This contains persulphates, which could be irritating to the mucous membrane and also may evoke an allergic reaction. However, specific IgE antibodies are difficult to detect.We found earlier that hairdressers with work-related bleaching powder-associated nasal symptoms reacted to persulphate, but that atopics also did and that the mechanism appeared to be similar in the two groups. In this study, we analysed gene expression of cytokines in the nose in order to further investigate the mechanism for work-related bleaching powderassociated nasal symptoms. MethodsThe study subjects belonged to either hairdressers with work-related bleaching powderassociated nasal symptoms (S; n=6), hairdressers without work-related bleaching powderassociated symptoms (WS; n=7) or atopics (A; n=6). Nasal lavage was performed before and during (up to 4 hours after the last challenge) provocation with potassium persulphate.Expression of two genes involved in allergic inflammation [interleukin 5 (IL5) and IL13] and one involved in cell-mediated immunity (interferon-gamma; IFNG) were analysed in nasal lavage with quantitative PCR. ResultsThe change of IL5 in the S group differed when compared to the WS group (P=0.051), in the A group when compared to the WS group (P=0.014), but not in the S group when compared to the A group (P=0.82). The change of IL13 in the A group differed when compared to the S (P=0.041) and WS (P=0.014) groups, but no difference was noticed between the S and WS 3 groups (P=0.30). The relative level of IFNG increased from before challenge to during challenge in the S group (P=0.031). ConclusionsSymptomatic hairdressers showed increased expression of IL5 and IFNG, but not IL13, during challenge. Hairdressers without work-related bleaching powder-associated nasal symptoms showed no markedly changed reaction. Atopics showed increased expression of IL5 and IL13.Thus, this may indicate a difference in the mechanism of symptoms between symptomatic hairdressers and atopics. However, due to the low number of participants, further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanism for persulphate-associated nasal symptoms.Keywords Cytokines, Gene expression, Interferon, Interleukin, Persulphate 4 Introduction Work-related airways symptoms, especially rhinitis, are very common in hairdressers (Albin et al. 2002;Brisman et al. 2003;Leino et al. 1997Leino et al. , 1998. Among hairdressers who could point out a causative agent for their airway symptoms, 80 -90% named bleaching powder (Albin et al. 2002;Leino et al. 1998).Bleaching powder contains persulphates known to elicit hypersensitive reactions from the airways (Moscato and Galdi 2006) and persulphate may be associated with nasal symptoms in hairdressers (Kronholm Diab et al. 2009). However, the mechanism is largely unknown. Skin prick testing reveals few cases of sensitisation (Aalto-Korte and Mäkinen-Kiljunen 2003;Hytönen et al. 1997;Leino et al. 1998;Moscato et al. 2005...

Time-Dependent Proteomic iTRAQ Analysis of Nasal Lavage of Hairdressers Challenged by Persulfate

“…No specific IgE antibodies were found and it was suggested that the reaction was driven by Th1 cell activation. Jönsson et al found an altered gene expression of cytokines when analyzing mRNA in nasal lavage from the same subjects . They detected an increase in IL-5 in the symptomatic as well as the atopic group, suggesting eosinophilic activation.…”

“…Jo ¨nsson et al found an altered gene expression of cytokines when analyzing mRNA in nasal lavage from the same subjects. 8 They detected an increase in IL-5 in the symptomatic as well as the atopic group, suggesting eosinophilic activation. In the latter group, an increase in IL-13 expression was also seen.…”

“…7 Differences in gene expression levels of certain cytokines were noticed between the two groups. 8 Proteomic-based studies of nasal lavage fluids and mucus have been used to assess the response from the airways and study the effects of chemicals, 9,10 as well as the pathogenesis of rhinitis 11 and chronic rhinosinusitis, 12,13 among other diseases. Proteomic profiling of biological samples may identify changes in protein patterns, revealing the pathways or systems that are activated and potentially associated with the disease processes.…”

“…A newly published study by Diab et al reports that persulfates elicited nasal symptoms in a group of hairdressers with bleaching powder-associated rhinitis, as well as in hay fever patients, probably through a T helper 1 (Th1) cell activation . Differences in gene expression levels of certain cytokines were noticed between the two groups …”

Respiratory toxicity of persulphate salts and their adverse effects on airways in hairdressers: a systematic review

“…However, nasal response showed some differences. Hairdressers with rhinitis to bleach showed increases in apolipoprotein A1, IL-5, IFN-Y in post SIC nasal lavage, while, in atopics, an increase in IL-5 and IL-13 was found (Diab et al 2009 ; Jonsson et al 2009 ; Karedal et al 2010 ). One study showed positive SIC to PS in one out of eight control subjects with asthma not caused by PS, no positive SIC in ten healthy control subjects, in contrast to six (among these five hairdressers) out of eight subjects with asthma and occupational exposure to PS (Munoz et al 2004 ).…”