Soluble serum HLA-G in children with allergic rhinitis and asthma

Allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma are characterized by Th2 polarized immune response. Soluble HLA (sHLA) molecules play an immunomodulatory activity. It has been reported that both molecules are increased in sera of patients with pollen-induced allergic rhinitis studied outside the pollen season. To date, however, no study has investigated them in AR children. The aim of this preliminary study is to evaluate serum sHLA-G levels in children with AR or asthma patients and in a group of healthy controls. Forty-seven symptomatic allergic patients were enrolled. A group of 50 healthy subjects was considered as control. Serum sHLA-G levels were determined by the immunoenzymatic method. Children with AR had significantly higher levels of sHLA-G molecules than normal controls or children with allergic asthma. However, there is no difference between children with AR and asthmatics. In conclusion, the present study provides the preliminary evidence that serum sHLA-G molecules are significantly increased in children with AR.