title: [Expression and significance of human beta-defensin in recurrent nasal polyps].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To observe the expression of human beta-defensin-1 (hBD-1) and human beta-defensin-2 (hBD-2) in recurrent nasal polyps, and to investigate the role of beta-defensin in the recurrent nasal polyps.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tissues of nasal polyps was obtained from 10 patients with nasal polyps undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery, recurrent nasal polyps from 10 patients 6 months after surgery, nasal mucosa from 10 recovered patients with nasal polyps postoperatively and,10 control subjects. hBD-1 mRNA and hBD-2 mRNA levels of tissue specimens in all groups were detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference in hBD-1 mRNA level between the 4 groups (P>0.05). Expression of hBD-2 mRNA was detected in patients with nasal polyps and recurrent nasal polyps, but rare in the recovered patients and the control subjects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  hBD-1 is a constitutive expression and hBD-2 is an induced expression. beta-Defensin may play an important role in forming the nasal polyps.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China.
authors.forename: Huo-Wang
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Guang-Xiang
authors.initials: GX
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sun
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012008:Recurrence; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D055815:Young Adult; D023083:beta-Defensins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C406407:DEFB1 protein, human; C106641:DEFB4A protein, human; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D023083:beta-Defensins