title: The role of transforming growth factor-α on mucin overproduction in eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (ECRS) is considered a refractory and intractable disease with thick mucus production, long-term nasal congestion, loss of sense of smell and intermittent acute exacerbations secondary to bacterial infections. In this study, we investigated which growth factor is deeply involved in the mucin overproduction in ECRS.
  
  
  METHODS
  We employed fluorescence immunohistochemical analysis to evaluate whether or not TGF-α expression was upregulated in the nasal tissue of ECRS patients. We also examined MUC5AC transcription using a luciferase reporter plasmid in HM3-MUC5AC cells and A549 cells in order to assess the role of TGF-α in human epithelial cells.
  
  
  RESULTS
  TGF-α immunoreactivity was found markedly increased in the submucosal tissue in the ECRS patient compared with that of a normal patient and with noneosinophilic CRS. TGF-α synergized with TNF-α to upregulate MUC5AC expression in human epithelial cells through the ERK signaling pathway.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results demonstrated that TGF-α was highly expressed in the upper airway tract in ECRS patients and is deeply involved in mucus hypersecretion.
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Japan. hajime @ clin.medic.mie-u.ac.jp
authors: Hajime
authors: H
authors: Ishinaga
authors: Said Ahmad
authors: SA
authors: Shah
authors: Hiroshi
authors: H
authors: Sakaida
authors: Kazuhiko
authors: K
authors: Takeuchi
mesh_terms: D002460:Cell Line; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D055271:Mucin 5AC / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha / Q000276:immunology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000276:immunology; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D055271:Mucin 5AC; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha