Expression of HSP70 and Its Relation with Other Cytokines in Human Middle Ear Effusion.
OBJECTIVE
While other cytokines are known to be associated with otitis media with effusion (OME), the involvement of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in middle ear effusion (MEE) is unknown. This study was undertaken to investigate the possibility of there being a HSP70 expression in human MEE and to determine its potential role as a cytokine in OME.


METHODS
The levels of HSP70, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in the effusion of different groups of OME patient following collection of the MEE using our new collection system. The clinical characteristics of the OME patients and the MEE status were analyzed.


RESULTS
HSP70 was expressed in all the types of MEE. The mucous and seromucous effusions showed higher HSP70 levels than that of the serous effusion. The HSP70 level was correlated with the levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-1beta in the effusions. The positive correlations between HSP70, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta were statistically significant (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The highly elevated level of HSP70 in the seromucous and mucous effusions implicates this protein in the chronicity of OME.
Park
Shi-Nae
SN
Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Catholic University of Korea School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Park
Kyoung Ho
KH
Choi
Hyeog-Gi
HG
Shin
Ji Hyun
JH
Lee
Dong Hee
DH
Chang
Ki Hong
KH
Yeo
Sang Won
SW