Inflammatory response in nasal mucosa

The inflammatory response in the nasal mucosa is a complex physiological and pathological process involving the activation of the immune system within the nasal lining. It is primarily characterized by the recruitment and activation of inflammatory cells, such as mast cells, eosinophils, and T lymphocytes, which release a variety of mediators including histamine, leukotrienes, and pro-inflammatory cytokines (StatPearls: Allergic Rhinitis, 2023). This cascade leads to increased vascular permeability, mucus hypersecretion, and tissue edema, manifesting clinically as symptoms like nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, and sneezing (Bousquet et al., Nature Reviews Disease Primers, 2020). While not a single molecular target, this response is the central focus of therapies for allergic and non-allergic rhinitis. Pharmacological management typically involves targeting specific molecular components of this pathway, such as the histamine H1 receptor, the glucocorticoid receptor, or leukotriene receptors, to suppress the overall inflammatory milieu and provide symptomatic relief (Small et al., Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology, 2018).

Other names

Nasal inflammationRhinitisMucosal inflammation of the noseNasal mucosal immune response

Drugs modulating this response act through various mechanisms: glucocorticoid receptor agonists suppress the transcription of pro-inflammatory genes; histamine H1 receptor antagonists block the effects of histamine on vascular and neural tissues; and leukotriene receptor antagonists inhibit the action of cysteinyl leukotrienes to reduce congestion and mucus production.