Overexpression of hepatocyte growth factor and its receptor c-Met in nasal polyps.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression and distribution of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and c-Met proteins in normal nasal mucosa and in nasal polyps and to evaluate the possible effects of HGF and c-Met on the development of nasal polyps.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Tertiary academic institution.


METHODS
Normal inferior turbinate mucosa was obtained from 20 patients undergoing surgery for augmentation rhinoplasty. Nasal polyps were obtained from 20 patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic polypoid sinusitis.


METHODS
Semiquantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot analysis were performed.


METHODS
The expression and distribution of HGF and c-Met were analyzed.


RESULTS
Using immunohistochemistry, moderate to high levels of HGF were mainly localized in submucosal glands of nasal polyps, while c-Met was detected in submucosal glands and in epithelial cells. In normal turbinate mucosa, immunopositive HGF was detected in submucosal glands, where faint staining was found, while c-Met was noted in epithelial cells and in submucosal glands. Semiquantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis showed that HGF expression was increased in nasal polyps compared with that in normal turbinate mucosa. The same result was observed for c-Met.


CONCLUSIONS
Elevated c-Met expression in combination with expression of HGF in nasal polyps may enhance the proliferation of epithelial cells and submucosal glandular cells through the release of HGF, which activates c-Met receptors in nasal polyps.
Rho
Ho Sang
HS
Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea. sanghag@kumc.or.kr
Lee
Sang Hag
SH
Lee
Heung-Man
HM
Lee
Seung Hoon
SH
Jung
Hak Hyun
HH
Choi
Joon
J
Park
Moo Kyun
MK
Kang
Sun Mook
SM
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D019859:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met / Q000378:metabolism*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor; D019859:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met