[Expression and distribution of Fas and Fas-L in the nasal polyps].
OBJECTIVE
To confirm the expression and distribution of Fas and Fas-L in the nasal polyps and to illustrate the role of the Fas/Fas-L system in the pathogenesis of human nasal polyps.


METHODS
Investigating the transcripts of the Fas/Fas-L gene in 30 human nasal polyp tissues and 30 nasal turbinate mucosa specimens using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Localization of Fas/Fas-L was performed with immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
The transcripts of the Fas/Fas-L gene were detected at similar levels in both polyps and nasal mucosa. There was a significant overexpression of Fas-L protein on nasal polyps (epithelium: 25 +/- 21, glands: 19 +/- 14) compared to nasal mucosa (epithelium: 14 +/- 13, glands: 12 +/- 10), (t = 1.66, P < 0.01), while Fas was overexpressed on nasal mucosa (epithelium: 17 +/- 11, glands: 17 +/- 13) compared to nasal polyps (epithelium: 13 +/- 10, glands: 11 +/- 9), (t = 1.98, P < 0.01). Fas-L positive cells were localized on the epithelial layers of cystically dilated glands and the down-growing epithelium of nasal polyps. Fas positive cells were localized on the cilia of the epithelial of nasal mucosa and mainly on the infiltrative cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Fas/Fas-L may play an important role on the pathogenesis of human nasal polyps, including cystic degeneration of submucosal glands, apoptosis and conferring of immune privilege to nasal polyp formation.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Second Clinical Hospital, Haerbin Medical University, Heilongjiang 150086, China. jinhonghong.student@sina.com
Hong
H
Jin
Chun-yuan
CY
Zhao
Xiu-yu
XY
Xu
Ya-nan
YN
Sun
Xiao-dan
XD
Li
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D064429:Fatty Acid Synthases / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000378:metabolism
C505661:FASLG protein, human; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D019014:fas Receptor; D064429:Fatty Acid Synthases