Immunolocalization of surfactant protein A and D in sinonasal mucosa.
BACKGROUND
Surfactant-associated proteins (SP) A and D are in the family of collectin proteins that play an integral part in the innate defense system. SP-A and SP-D expression and function are altered in a variety of inflammatory and infectious diseases of the lungs, such as asthma, allergies, and cystic fibrosis. Our prior studies are the first to identify the presence of these proteins in the human sinonasal cavity. The objective of this study was to immunolocalize SP-A and SP-D in human sinonasal tissue.


METHODS
Sinonasal mucosal biopsies were performed in patients with various forms of chronic hyperplastic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis and nondiseased mucosa from patients undergoing transsphenoidal hypophysectomy. (n = 10) Immunolocalization of surfactant proteins was performed with antibodies to SP-A and SP-D using immunoperoxidase staining technique. Isotype-negative controls were performed on all specimens.


RESULTS
Analyses of mucosal biopsy specimens from human sinonasal tissue reveals staining within respiratory and intermediate (metaplastic)-type surface epithelium. In addition, staining was intense in the submucosal ductal epithelium of the seromucinous glands. These properties appear to be consistent regardless of disease state and location within the sinuses.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first study to immunolocalize SP-A and SP-D in sinonasal human mucosa. These are secreted proteins that are intricately involved in innate immunity in the lungs. Their secretion in the upper airway indicates that future studies may allow manipulation of these proteins and development of novel treatments for sinonasal pathology.
Woodworth
Bradford A
BA
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South, Charleston 29425, USA. woodwort@musc.edu
Lathers
Deanne
D
Neal
Jeffery G
JG
Skinner
Margaret
M
Richardson
Mary
M
Young
M Rita
MR
Schlosser
Rodney J
RJ
D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D010256:Paranasal Sinuses / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D037662:Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein A / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D037663:Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein D / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology
D037662:Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein A; D037663:Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein D