[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.
Jin
Hong
H
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Second Clinical Hospital, Haerbin Medical University, Heilongjiang 150086, China. jinhonghong.student@sina.com
Zhao
Chun-yuan
CY
Xu
Xiu-yu
XY
Sun
Ya-nan
YN
Li
Xiao-dan
XD
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