Interleukin-4 and interleukin-13 compromise the sinonasal epithelial barrier and perturb intercellular junction protein expression

Background Altered expression of epithelial intercellular junction proteins has been observed in sinonasal biopsies from nasal polyps and epithelial layers cultured from nasal polyp patients. These alterations comprise a “leaky” epithelial barrier phenotype. We hypothesize that T helper 2 (Th2) cytokines interleukin (IL)‐4 and IL‐13 modulate epithelial junction proteins, thereby contributing to the leaky epithelial barrier. Methods Differentiated primary sinonasal epithelial layers cultured at the air‐liquid interface were exposed to IL‐4, IL‐13, and controls for 24 hours at 37°C. Epithelial resistance measurements were taken every 4 hours during cytokine exposure. Western blot and immunofluorescence staining/confocal microscopy were used to assess changes in a panel of tight and adherens junction proteins. Western blot densitometry was quantified with image analysis. Results IL‐4 and IL‐13 exposure resulted in a mean decrease in transepithelial resistance at 24 hours to 51.6% (n = 6) and 68.6% (n = 8) of baseline, respectively. Tight junction protein junctional adhesion molecule‐A (JAM‐A) expression decreased 42.2% with IL‐4 exposure (n = 9) and 37.5% with IL‐13 exposure (n = 9). Adherens junction protein E‐cadherin expression decreased 35.3% with IL‐4 exposure (n = 9) and 32.9% with IL‐13 exposure (n = 9). Tight junction protein claudin‐2 showed more variability but had a trend toward higher expression with Th2 cytokine exposure. There were no appreciable changes in claudin‐1, occludin, or zonula occludens‐1 (ZO‐1) with IL‐4 or IL‐13 exposure. Conclusion Sinonasal epithelial exposure to Th2 cytokines IL‐4 and IL‐13 results in alterations in intercellular junction proteins, reflecting increased epithelial permeability. Such changes may explain some of the phenotypic manifestations of Th2‐mediated sinonasal disease, such as edema, nasal discharge, and environmental reactivity.