Expression and distribution patterns of the stem cell marker, nestin, and the stem cell renewal factor, BMI-1, in normal human nasal mucosa and nasal polyps.
CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that nestin and BMI-1 are candidates for stem cell markers and renewal factors in human nasal mucosa, may contribute to tissue homeostasis and differentiation in the epithelium and submucosal glands of normal nasal mucosa, and may play a role in proliferation of nasal polyps.


OBJECTIVE
The stem cell marker, nestin, and the stem cell renewal factor, BMI-1, have been identified in a variety of inflammatory and normal tissues, implicating these markers in tissue regeneration.


METHODS
We investigated the expression and distribution of nestin and BMI-1 in normal nasal mucosa and nasal polyps, using RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and Western blotting.


RESULTS
Nestin and BMI-1 were localized to the epithelium and submucosal glands of normal nasal mucosa and nasal polyps. The expression of nestin was confined to the plasma membrane and cytoplasm, whereas BMI-1 showed a nuclear staining pattern. In normal nasal mucosa and nasal polyps, nestin and BMI-1 expression was strongest in the basal portion of the epithelial layer, and decreased toward the upper portion. In the submucosal glands, weak to strong expression was commonly detected in the glandular acini. There was no significant difference in the level of expression of nestin and BMI-1 between normal nasal mucosa and nasal polyps.
Kim
Tae Hoon
TH
Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea.
Lee
Heung Man
HM
Lee
Seung Hoon
SH
Choe
Hwan
H
Kim
Ha Kyun
HK
Lee
Jung Hoon
JH
Oh
Kyoung Ho
KH
Lee
Sang Hag
SH
D000328:Adult; D053687:Adult Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000378:metabolism*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D064231:Nestin; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D063150:Polycomb Repressive Complex 1; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
C069077:BMI1 protein, human; D015415:Biomarkers; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins; C577484:NES protein, human; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D064231:Nestin; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D063150:Polycomb Repressive Complex 1