The role of proteomics for research of nasal secretions in allergic rhinitis

Introduction: Nasal secretions are the first defense barrier against a variety of pathogens including allergens. Proteins in nasal secretions can be considered as functionally important molecules that harbor the potential to be biomarkers for diagnosis or even future therapeutic strategies. Proteomics, as a relatively novel field, opens the possibility to investigate whole proteomes of the human body. On analyzing different protein expressions and their functions, new insights could be gained about how proteins influence allergic rhinitis as part of the immunologic barrier in nasal secretions in systems biology. Methods: The aim of this review was to analyze the current existing literature according to proteomic approaches in the investigation of nasal secretion and its role in a variety of diseases. A PubMed/Medline search was conducted entering the following key words: "nasal mucus" and "proteomics". Results: Five studies met the criteria using mass spectrometry in the analysis of nasal secretion proteomes in healthy subjects, chronic rhinosinusitis, and allergic rhinitis. In three studies 20, 35, 267, and 430 proteins, respectively, were identified. Two further studies analyzed distinct proteins according to the previous findings in a more detailed relationship to the disease. Conclusion: Proteomics is feasible in the investigation of nasal secretions' proteome and its role in healthy and disease state. The identified proteins could serve as novel biomarkers for new diagnostic or therapeutic approaches.