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OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of human calcium-activated chloride channel 1 (hCLCA1) and mucin MUC5AC in allergic rhinitis. METHOD: The expression of hCLCA1 and MUC5AC were determined by RT-PCR and immunohistochemical assay in nasal mucosa on 20 patients with allergic rhinitis and 7 normal persons. RESULT: The expression of hCLCA1mRNA in allergic rhinitis group was positive, whereas in normal control group was absent (P<0.01). The expression of MUC5AC mRNA and MUC5AC protein in the allergic rhinitis group were higher than that in the control, respectively (both P<0.01). The increased expression of hCLCA1mRNA in allergic rhinitis group were well correlated with the expression of MUC5ACmRNA and MUC5AC protein and the correlation coefficients were 0.752 and 0.694(both P<0.05). CONCLUSION Upregulation of hCLCA1 mRNA expression may play a pivotal role in mucus overproduction in allergic rhinitis group. The inhibition of HCLCA1 expression may provide a new strategy for the treatment of allergic rhinitis.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Chloride Channels ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mucin 5AC ; metabolism ; Nasal Mucosa ; metabolism ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; metabolism ; Young Adult

ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical and radiographic efficacy and safety of the combination of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-αt receptor Ⅱ IgG Fc fusion protein (rhTNFR:Fc) and methotrexate (MTX) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). MethodsThirty patients with highly active RA were treated with rhTNFR:Fc (25 mg subcutaneously twice weekly) and oral MTX (up to 15 mg weekly). Clinical efficacy was assessed using ACR response criteria and the disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28).Radiographs of the hands and wrists were assessed with the modified Sharp score. Chi-square test, Fisher is exact test and paired t-test were performed. ResultsAt week 52, ACR20, ACR50 and ACR70 responses were achieved by 90％, 87％ and 67％ respectively. At week 52, mean DAS28 was 3.4±1.1 compared to 6.4±0.6 at base-line(P＜0.01), with 23％ patients achieving clinical remission and 17％ patients in low disease activity. Similarly, the HAQ was improved significantly, declining from 1.18±0.56 at base-line to 0.25t±0.34 at week 52 (P＜0.01). No radiographic progression was found in 22 cases. Adverse events were mild in general.ConclusionTreatment with rhTNFR:Fc plus MTX has shown good efficacy throughout 52 study period in reducing disease activity, improving function, and retarding radiographic progression. Combination therapy for 52 weeks can achieve disease remission and no radiographic progression, which are the two goals of therapy for RA.

Humans ; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive