Expression of messenger RNA for keratinocyte growth factor in human cholesteatoma.
OBJECTIVE
To understand the interaction between cholesteatoma epithelium and subepithelial connective tissue as a paracrine regulation by keratinocyte growth factor.


METHODS
Preparation of a specific DNA probe from human fetal fibroblast and detection of localization of keratinocyte growth factor messenger RNA in subepithelial granulation tissue of middle-ear cholesteatoma by a nonradioactive in situ hybridization method.


METHODS
The cholesteatoma specimens were excised from 12 patients during surgery. Normal skin specimens collected from the external ear canal of six patients were used as controls.


RESULTS
Signals specific for keratinocyte growth factor messenger RNA were not expressed in the normal skin of the external ear canal, but were observed in fibroblasts of subepithelial connective tissue of cholesteatoma specimens. Signals were observed only in specimens collected from patients whose subepithelial connective tissue was thick and proliferated and whose inflammation was strong.


CONCLUSIONS
A paracrine regulation mechanism involving keratinocyte growth factor may exist for proliferation of epithelium of cholesteatoma. The subepithelial connective tissue of cholesteatoma may play an important role in the proliferation and development of the cholesteatoma, especially under inflammatory conditions.
Kojima
H
H
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Matsuhisa
A
A
Shiwa
M
M
Kamide
Y
Y
Nakamura
M
M
Ohno
T
T
Moriyama
H
H
D001483:Base Sequence; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002781:Cholesteatoma / Q000473:pathology*; D015342:DNA Probes / Q000235:genetics*; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000473:pathology*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000473:pathology; D051526:Fibroblast Growth Factor 10; D051523:Fibroblast Growth Factor 7; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000235:genetics*; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007249:Inflammation; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics
D015342:DNA Probes; C496453:FGF7 protein, human; D051526:Fibroblast Growth Factor 10; D006133:Growth Substances; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051523:Fibroblast Growth Factor 7; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors