Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2002 Feb;45(2):137-143.

Regulation of Cytokine Gene Expression in Nasal Polyp

• Kim CN
• Hong SK
• Kim MJ
• Hong YS

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The etiology and pathogenesis of nasal polyp are still ill-defined and have been debated for many years. Recently, the identification and localization of mRNA of cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors that may be involved in the formation of nasal polyp have been studied. But, transcription factors that control the expressions of cytokines have not been studied. The purpose of this study is to investigate IL-12 and IL-4 mRNA in the polyps of the patients with allergy-associated and nonallergy-associated chronic sinusitis and compared it with controls. IL-12 receptor and IRF-1, c-maf and GATA-3 which are transcription factors of IFN-gamma, IL-4 and IL-5, respectively were also studied. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Nasal polyp tissues were surgically obtained from two groups of patients with chronic sinusitis: those who had allergic rhinitis (n=) and those without allergy (n=3). The normal nasal mucosa from inferior turbinate were obtained from normal subjects. IL-12p35, IL-12p40, IL-12Rbeta2, IRF-1, IL-4, GATA-3 and c-maf mRNA expression were analysed by means of the reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction and southern blot in three groups.
RESULTS
The expression of IL-12p40, IL-12Rbeta2, IRF-1 mRNA were significantly higher in the nonallergic polyp group than in the control group (p<0.05). GATA-3 mRNA was significantly expressed in allergic polyp group than in the control group (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION
These results suggest IL-12, IL-12Rbeta2 and IRF-1 may be involved in nonallergic polyp formation. GATA-3 may contribute to allergic polyp formation.

Keyword

Nasal polyp; Cytokine; Transcription factor

MeSH Terms

Blotting, Southern
Chemokines
Cytokines
Gene Expression*
Humans
Hypersensitivity
Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
Interleukin-12
Interleukin-12 Subunit p35
Interleukin-12 Subunit p40
Interleukin-4
Interleukin-5
Nasal Mucosa
Nasal Polyps*
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Polyps
Receptors, Interleukin-12
Reverse Transcription
Rhinitis
RNA, Messenger
Sinusitis
Transcription Factors
Turbinates
Chemokines
Cytokines
Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
Interleukin-12
Interleukin-12 Subunit p35
Interleukin-12 Subunit p40
Interleukin-4
Interleukin-5
RNA, Messenger
Receptors, Interleukin-12
Transcription Factors