Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  1998 May;41(5):559-566.

Expressions of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in the Epithelium and Cultured Keratinocyte of Aural Cholesteatoma

• Kim JH
• Kim HJ
• Park JY

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Aural cholesteatoma is characterized by the presence of keratinizing squamous epithelium in the middle ear cleft. Bone destruction of adjucent structures is mainly responsible for serious intracranial complications in this disease. Recently, expressions of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor were reported to be increased in cholesteatoma epithelium, compared with normal skin epidermis. In the present study the role of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in proliferation and progression of middle ear cholesteatoma was investigated.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The degree of EGFR expression was measured using immunohistochemical staining with image analysis and flow cytometric method. These results were compared with those in normal skin epidermis.
RESULTS
EGFR was weakly expressed in the basal layer of cholesteatoma epithelium and normal skin epidermis. However its expression was more intense in suprabasal layer of cholesteatoma epithelium than in normal skin epidermis. By flowcytometric method, an increase of EGFR expression was detected in cholesteatoma keratinocyte (106.5+/-19.8) than in normal skin keratinocyte (60.8+/-11.1).
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, an increase of EGFR expression in cholesteatoma suggests that EGFR plays a role in epithelial cell proliferation and progression of cholesteatoma.

Keyword

Cholesteatoma; EGFR; Cell culture; Immunohistochemistry; Flow cytometry

MeSH Terms

Cell Culture Techniques
Cholesteatoma
Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear*
Ear, Middle
Epidermal Growth Factor*
Epidermis
Epithelial Cells
Epithelium*
Flow Cytometry
Immunohistochemistry
Keratinocytes*
Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor*
Skin
Epidermal Growth Factor
Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor