Expression of guanylin and uroguanylin mRNA in human nasal mucosa and nasal polyps.
OBJECTIVE
Guanylin and uroguanylin are small, heat-stable peptides that were originally isolated from the small intestine and from urine, respectively. Functionally, it has been proposed that these peptides can regulate ion and water transport in various fluid-transporting epithelia. In the present study we evaluated the presence of mRNAs for human guanylin and uroguanylin in human inferior turbinate mucosa and nasal polyps.


METHODS
The expression and localization of mRNAs for both peptides were investigated in inferior turbinate tissues and nasal polyps using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization.


RESULTS
mRNAs for both peptides were detected in human turbinate mucosa and nasal polyps. 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 polyps. However, their expression was noted at low levels in the superficial epithelium of nasal polyps, compared with that of inferior turbinate mucosa.


CONCLUSIONS
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 polyps may cause impaired electrolyte and water transport across the epithelial cells.
Lee
Sang Hag
SH
Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea. sanghag@kumc.or.kr
Paeng
Jae Pil
JP
Jung
Hak Hyun
HH
Lee
Seung Hoon
SH
Lee
Heung Man
HM
Kwon
Soon Young
SY
Lim
Ki Jung
KJ
Jung
Kwang Yoon
KY
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005768:Gastrointestinal Hormones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000378:metabolism*; D045265:Natriuretic Peptides; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014420:Turbinates
D005768:Gastrointestinal Hormones; D045265:Natriuretic Peptides; D010455:Peptides; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C072685:guanylin; C084362:uroguanylin