[The role of chosen cytokines in etiology of nasal polyps].
Nasal polyposis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the nasal mucus. The pathogenesis of nasal polyps is still not entirely known and has been debated for many years. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the expression of interleukins 2 and 4 in patients with nasal polyps and to compare cytokine profile of patients with allergy versus patients without allergy.


METHODS
Twelve patients with nasal polyps were selected, six of them allergic to dust and six non-allergic. Patients with allergy were distinguished from those without allergy on the basis of positive allergy skin test to dust and the serum levels of IgE. Blood sample was obtained from patients and examined for the expression of Interleukin 2 and 4 by intracellular staining procedure, after stimulation with PMA (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate) and allergen (D. pteronyssimus, Allergopharma).


RESULTS
Statistical analysis of 2 groups of patients demonstrated that no significant difference in the interleukins expression in allergic versus non-allergic patients was observed (p > 0.05). In patients who used intranasal local steroid before treatment we observed significant decrease of 11-2 level after allergen stimulation (p = 0.034).


CONCLUSIONS
No differences of expression of Interleukin-4 between allergic versus non-allergic patients suggests that the allergic mechanism does not play an important role in the aetiology and formation of nasal polyps. To confirm this, further research needs to be undertaken.
Pietruszewska
Wioletta
W
Szpital Uniwersytecki im. N. Barlickiego, Katedra Otolaryngologii, Klinika Laryngologii i Onkologii Laryngologicznej Uniwersytetu Medycznego, Lodzi. pietruszewska@op.pl
Olejniczak
Izabela
I
Gryczyński
Maciej
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*
D007376:Interleukin-2; D015847:Interleukin-4