Mucin gene expression in nasal polyps.
CONCLUSIONS
A large set of mucin genes is expressed in nasal polyps. The expression pattern is complex and may reflect the wide spectrum of variables involved in polyp formation and progression. Prospective studies including subgroups of nasal polyps and involving substantial numbers of cases in each subgroup will be required to elucidate these variables and to understand how they affect mucus secretion.


OBJECTIVE
At present, 15 of the 19 known mucin genes are expressed in the human airways. Nasal polyps might be expected to have a mucin expression pattern comparable to that of the airways. The aim of this study was to investigate mucin expression in nasal polyps.


METHODS
Nasal polyp samples were obtained from 20 patients during functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Normal (control) sphenoid sinus mucosa was obtained from patients undergoing trans-sphenoid hypophysectomy. The expression of eight mucin genes (MUC1-4, -5AC, -5B, -6 and -7) was studied by in situ hybridization utilizing digoxigenin-labelled oligonucleotide probes.


RESULTS
MUC6 and -7 were not expressed in sphenoid sinus mucosa, while all the studied mucin genes were expressed in nasal polyps. Expression patterns varied widely between individual polyps. The predominant epithelial mucin genes were MUC4, -5AC and -3, while MUC5B and -7 were mainly of glandular origin. MUC1, -2 and -6 were weakly expressed. The major alteration in gene expression in nasal polyps was found in the submucosal glands. MUC4 and -5AC represent a major component of both submucosal glands and epithelial cells in nasal polyps.
Ali
Mahmoud S
MS
Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Wilson
Janet A
JA
Bennett
Mark
M
Pearson
Jeffrey P
JP
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D004724:Endoscopy; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055271:Mucin 5AC; D018396:Mucin-1 / Q000032:analysis; D055262:Mucin-2; D055263:Mucin-3; D055264:Mucin-4; D055257:Mucin-5B; D055272:Mucin-6; D009077:Mucins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000235:genetics*; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides / Q000032:analysis; D013101:Sphenoid Sinus / Q000378:metabolism
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C524625:MUC2 protein, human; C524658:MUC4 protein, human; C524678:MUC5AC protein, human; C524578:MUC5B protein, human; C524734:MUC6 protein, human; C083238:MUC7 protein, human; D055271:Mucin 5AC; D018396:Mucin-1; D055262:Mucin-2; D055263:Mucin-3; D055264:Mucin-4; D055257:Mucin-5B; D055272:Mucin-6; D009077:Mucins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides