Transforming growth factor-beta expression in otitis media with effusion.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the existence and role of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) in otitis media with effusion (OME).


METHODS
Retrospective.


METHODS
The levels of two major TGF-beta isoforms, TGF-beta1 and TGF-beta2, in the middle ear effusions (MEEs) of 44 children were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunospecific assays (ELISAs). Forty-eight MEEs were separated into three clinically relevant groups (i.e., serous, mucoid, and purulent), and TGF-beta levels were correlated with clinical parameters of disease for these MEEs.


RESULTS
Both TGF-beta1 and TGF-beta2 were present in the samples. Mean levels of TGF-beta1 (920.36 +/- 437.75 pg/mg total protein) were generally 100-fold greater than those of TGF-beta2 (9.65 +/- 11.19 pg/mg total protein). TGF-beta1 levels were elevated in association with a history of previous tympanostomy tube placements (TTPs) (P = .029) and mucoid effusions (P = .042). TGF-beta2 levels were elevated in association with a history of previous TTPs (P = .100) and chronic (i.e., serous or mucoid) effusions (P = .003).


CONCLUSIONS
TGF-beta1 is present in the MEEs of children with OME. Furthermore, TGF-beta1 and TGF-beta2 levels were elevated differentially in the presence of chronic disease indicators in OME, suggesting that these isoforms may have differing roles in the inflammatory processes that characterize OME.
Department of Surgery, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington 06030-3105, USA.
M S
MS
Cooter
R J
RJ
Eisma
J A
JA
Burleson
G
G
Leonard
D
D
Lafreniere
D L
DL
Kreutzer
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005122:Exudates and Transudates / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007536:Isomerism; D008297:Male; D008876:Middle Ear Ventilation; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology* / Q000601:surgery; D010035:Otitis Media, Suppurative / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology* / Q000601:surgery; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha / Q000032:analysis; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology
D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta