The role of interleukin-16 in eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis.
Eosinophilic granulocytes (Eos) are found in great numbers both in the tissue and in the mucus of patients suffering from chronic rhinosinusitis with polyposis (ECRS). Interleukin-16 (IL-16) is known as a highly potent chemotactic and chemoattractant molecule (ED 10-11) for Eos. In an open, explorative, controlled study we examined the presence of IL-16 in mucosa tissue, mucus and serum in patients suffering from ECRS and its association to Eos activation. Tissue and nasal mucus specimen from 10 previously untreated, non allergic ECRS-patients undergoing paranasal sinus surgery and from 10 healthy non sinusitis subjects, undergoing nasal surgery because of anatomic nasal obstruction were investigated by real-time (RT-) PCR targeting human IL-16 mRNA. Haematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemistry of formalin embedded tissue and mucus were applied for detection and determination of the proportion of activated Eos (aEos) and IL-16. Serum IL-16 was analyzed by enzyme-linked-immunosorbent assay (ELISA). IL-16 mRNA and IL-16 protein levels were elevated in nasal mucus, polyp tissue and in the serum of ECRS patients compared to healthy controls. There was a high proportion of aEos in ECRS patients compared to healthy subjects. Serum IL-16, IL-16 mRNA expression and IL-16 protein in mucus and tissue specimens were significantly associated with the presence of aEos in polyps of ECRS patients. Immunohistochemically IL-16 protein was mainly expressed in aEos, mast cells, lymphocytes and epithelial cells. In conclusion our data indicate that IL-16 may stimulate the migration and persistence of activated Eos in ECRS. IL-16 production in ECRS patients is not mediated by Immunglobuline-E (IgE).
Lackner
Andreas
A
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 26-28, 8036, Graz, Austria. andreas.lackner@meduni-graz.at
Raggam
Reinhard Bernd
RB
Stammberger
Heinz
H
Beham
Alfred
A
Braun
Hannes
H
Kleinhappl
Barbara
B
Buzina
Walter
W
Kittinger
Clemens
C
Reinisch
Sabine
S
Berghold
Andrea
A
Freudenschuss
Kurt
K
Barth
Sonja
S
Marth
Egon
E
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / Q000276:immunology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D019410:Interleukin-16 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D015415:Biomarkers; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019410:Interleukin-16