Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2004 Nov;47(11):1120-1124.

Expression of Guanylin and Uroguanylin mRNA in Human Nasal Mucosa and Nasal Polyp

• Park HJ
• Shin DJ
• Kwon YW
• Choi JH
• Cho WJ
• Lee HM
• Lee SH
• Lee SH

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Guanylin and uroguanylin are small, heat-stable peptides that were originally isolated from the small intestine and urine, respectively. Functionally, it has been proposed that these peptides can regulate the ion and water transport in various fluid-transporting epithelia. The present study evaluated the presence of mRNAs for the human guanylin and uroguanylin in human inferior turbinate mucosa and nasal polyp. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The expression and localization of mRNA for both peptides were investigated in inferior turbinate tissues and nasal polyp using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and in situ hybridization. RESULTS: The mRNAs for both peptides were detected in human turbinate mucosa and nasal polyp. In situ hybridization revealed that they were localized in the epithelial layer and submucosal glands of inferior turbinate mucosa and in the epithelial layer of nasal polyp. However, their expression in the superficial epithelium of nasal polyp was noted at lower levels than in the inferior turbinate mucosa. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that guanylin and uroguanylin in the nasal mucosa may participate in normal physiological processes, but also suggest that altered expression of these genes in nasal polyp may cause impaired electrolyte and water transport across the epithelial cells.

Keyword

Turbinate; Nasal polyp; RT-PCR; In situ hybridization

MeSH Terms

Epithelial Cells
Epithelium
Humans*
In Situ Hybridization
Intestine, Small
Mucous Membrane
Nasal Mucosa*
Nasal Polyps*
Peptides
Physiological Processes
Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
RNA, Messenger*
Turbinates
Water
Peptides
RNA, Messenger
Water