Nasal lavage CCL24 levels correlate with eosinophils trafficking and symptoms in chronic sino-nasal eosinophilic inflammation

Objectives: The aim of our study was to measure CCL24 (eotaxin-2) levels in nasal lavage fluid of patients with different forms of sinonasal chronic eosinophilic inflammation to verify the relationship with nasal hypereosinophilia and symptoms. Methods: Patients with nasal hypereosinophilia were randomly recruited and grouped in persistent allergic rhinitis, non-allergic rhinitis with eosinophilia syndrome (NARES) and chronic rhinosinusitis with polyps. Non rhinitic volunteers were recruited as controls. CCL24 concentration was measured by 'Quantikine Human CCL24 Immunoassay'. Differential cell counts were performed by microscopic cytological examination of nasal tissue scraped by inferior turbinate. Results: CCL24 levels measured in patient groups were significantly higher compared to control group with the highest levels in NARES patients. CCL24 levels were significantly correlated to severity of symptoms and to the percentage of eosinophils in nasal tissue. Conclusions: We revealed high levels of CCL24 in all patient groups showing a significant correlation with the degree of eosinophilia and clinical symptoms. A prolonged accumulation of CCL24 inside the nasal mucosa may sustain the process of unspecific self-perpetuating eosinophil recruitment pathognomonic of these patients.