Association between human beta defensin expression and cholesteatoma formation.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate an association between human beta defensin (hBD) expression and cholesteatoma formation.


METHODS
hBD-2 mRNA expressions were assessed in healthy external acoustic meatus skin organ cultures before and after stimulation with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In addition, hBD-1 and hBD-2 protein production of stimulated and non-stimulated external acoustic meatus skin was visualized by immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, hBD-1 and hBD-2 mRNA expression was analyzed in 25 external acoustic meatus skin, 29 cholesteatoma, and 18 non-cholesteatoma control samples. Non-stimulated meatal tissue preparation did not express hBD-2, whereas incubation with P. aeruginosa demonstrated hBD-2 induction.


RESULTS
The hBD-1 mRNA expression was detected in cholesteatoma (14/17), meatal skin, and middle ear mucosa (11/18). hBD-2 mRNA expression was shown in eight cholesteatoma (28.5%) and in three middle ear mucosa tissue samples (37.5%).


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest constitutional hBD-1 and inducible hBD-2 expression in chronic middle ear infection and cholesteatoma. Failure of hBD-1 and hBD-2 expression might dispose to exacerbation of cholesteatoma disease. The organ culture model of the external acoustic meatus skin is effective in order to evaluate germ stimulation experiments.
Meyer
Jens Eduard
JE
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Luebeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538 Luebeck, Germany. jens.meyer@hno.uni-luebeck.de
Schwaab
Matthias
M
Beier
Ulf Henning
UH
Görögh
Tibor
T
Buchelt
Tania
T
Frese
Knut
K
Maune
Steffen
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018424:Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D023082:Defensins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D048348:Reverse Transcription / Q000235:genetics
D017931:DNA Primers; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D023082:Defensins; D012333:RNA, Messenger