Role of acidic mammalian chitinase and chitotriosidase in nasal polyps.
OBJECTIVE
Chitin is a recognition element for tissue infiltration by innate cells implicated in allergy and helminth immunity, and this process can be negatively regulated by vertebrate chitinases. Acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase) and chitotriosidase (ChT) have chitinolytic activity, but little is known about their roles in nasal polyps.


METHODS
A prospective controlled study.


METHODS
A tertiary referral center.


METHODS
Nineteen subjects with nasal polyps and 12 subjects with deviated nasal septums were recruited to obtain inferior turbinate mucosa samples. The expression levels of AMCase and ChT were compared in nasal polyp and inferior turbinate tissue samples. The tissue samples were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and immunohistochemical staining.


RESULTS
AMCase and ChT were detected in all nasal polyps and inferior turbinate tissues. AMCase and ChT messenger RNA and protein expression were significantly higher in nasal polyps than in inferior turbinate tissues. In nasal polyps, AMCase-positive and ChT-positive cells were detected in the epithelium, inflammatory cells, and submucosal gland.


CONCLUSIONS
AMCase and ChT may be important mediators in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps. Nasal polyps appear to have elevated levels of chitinases, and the presence or growth of chitin-containing pathogens might enhance chitinase expression, resulting in nasal polyp formation and growth in susceptible individuals.
Park
Seong Kook
SK
Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan Paik Hospital, Busan, Korea. sinus4@pusanpaik.or.kr
Cho
Hong Wook
HW
Heo
Kyung Wook
KW
Hur
Dae Young
DY
Lee
Hyun-Kyung
HK
D002688:Chitinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006596:Hexosaminidases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000201:enzymology*; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000201:enzymology*; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000201:enzymology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D006596:Hexosaminidases; C086400:chitotriosidase; C499254:CHIA protein, human; D002688:Chitinases