Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2001 Dec;44(12):1275-1282.

Expression of Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor(bFGF), Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor(VEGF), and Platelet-Derived Endothelial Cell Growth Factor(PD-ECGF) in Nasal Polyps

• Park SK
• Heo KW

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES : The etiology of polyp is still largely unknown. Vascular remodelling, with local angiogenesis and plasma leakage, could play a role in the growth process of nasal polyps. The aim of this study was to detect and localize angiogenesis factor expressions in nasal polyp tissue and compare these findings with those of inferior turbinate tissues.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The author examined specimens from patients undergone elective turbinectomy (n=10) or nasal polypectomy (n=23). The mRNA expressions of angiogenesis factors were detected by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) followed by Southern blot analysis. The protein expression of angiogenesis factors in nasal polyp tissues were evaluated by immunohistochemistry.
RESULTS
Semi-quantitative RT-PCR/Southern analysis of RNA demonstrated that the level of mRNA expression of basic fibroblast growth factors (bFGF) and vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) were decreased in nasal polyp tissues compared with inferior turbinate specimens. The platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF) mRNA expression was significantly increased in nasal polyps compared with inferior turbinates. The immunohistochemical studies revealed that a immunoreactivity to these angiogenesis facors were localized to epithelium, inflammatory cell, and vascular endothelium in all samples reviewed. The high levels of expression for VEGF protein and PD-ECGF protein in the nasal polyp tissues were demonstrated.
CONCLUSION
We suggest that PD-ECGF and VEGF contribute to the growth of nasal polyps. Hypoxia may play an important role in the growth of the nasal polyps considering that VEGF and PD-ECGF, secretions of which are stimulated by hypoxia, were highly expressed in the nasal polyp tissues.

Keyword

Nasal polyp; Basic fibroblast growth factor; Vascular endothelial growth factor; Platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor

MeSH Terms

Angiogenesis Inducing Agents
Anoxia
Blotting, Southern
Endothelial Cells*
Endothelium, Vascular
Epithelium
Fibroblast Growth Factor 2
Fibroblasts*
Humans
Immunohistochemistry
Nasal Polyps*
Plasma
Polyps
RNA
RNA, Messenger
Thymidine Phosphorylase
Turbinates
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
Angiogenesis Inducing Agents
Fibroblast Growth Factor 2
RNA
RNA, Messenger
Thymidine Phosphorylase
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors