Expression profile of immune-associated genes in nasal polyps.
OBJECTIVE
We performed this study to investigate the expression profile of immune-associated genes and to probe the role of related genes in the immune pathogenesis of nasal polyps.


METHODS
Microarray analysis was used to find the expression profile of 491 immune-associated genes in nasal polyps. In validation studies, immunohistochemical staining and Western blot analysis were used to detect interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-17 receptor (IL-17R) in nasal polyps and controls.


RESULTS
Eighty-seven genes were differentially expressed in the immune-associated gene profile of nasal polyps, and 15 genes showed differential expression in both chips. In nasal polyp tissues, IL-17 was expressed mainly in the cytoplasm of plasma cells and to a lesser degree in the prickle cell layer of the epithelium and the acinus of the serous gland. In turbinates, IL-17 was also expressed in the same location, but the expression of IL-17 in nasal polyps and that in turbinates differed significantly (p < .05). Both IL-17 and IL-17R displayed specific bands in nasal polyps and turbinates, but the bands of IL-17 and IL-17R in nasal polyps were stronger than those in turbinates.


CONCLUSIONS
The differentially expressed genes in immune-associated gene chips will provide clues about, and a theoretical foundation for, the pathogenesis of nasal polyps. Furthermore, IL-17 may play an important role in the occurrence of nasal polyps by overexpression.
Wang
Xin
X
Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital, Bethune Faculty of Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China.
Dong
Zhen
Z
Zhu
Dong-Dong
DD
Guan
Bing
B
D000328:Adult; D015153:Blotting, Western; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D005819:Genetic Markers / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics*; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D053722:Receptors, Interleukin-17
D005819:Genetic Markers; C109985:IL17RA protein, human; D020381:Interleukin-17; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin; D053722:Receptors, Interleukin-17