title: Presence of hyaluronidase isoforms in nasal polyps.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nasal polyps are benign lesions originating from the nasal mucosa or paranasal sinuses. The most important etiological factor seems to be increased hydration of epithelium and hyperplasia of the extracellular matrix, which may involve hyaluronan, a high molecular mass extracellular glycosaminoglycan. Degradation of hyaluronan proceeds through the action of specific hyaluronidases.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to investigate the hydrodynamic size of hyaluronan and the presence of the various hyaluronidase isoforms in nasal polyps.
  
  
  METHODS
  Samples of polypoid mucosal tissue and normal nasal mucosa were obtained from twenty patients suffering from nasal polyposis. Zymographic analysis and western blotting were used to detect hyaluronidase activity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results indicated the presence of hyaluronan of small molecular mass in all samples examined. About one third of it has a mean molecular mass of 240 kDa, exactly that required for the expression of inflammatory response. Laboratory analysis suggested that degradation of hyaluronan occurred through the action of three hyaluronidase isoforms: Hyal-1, Hyal-2 and PH-20.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Since hyaluronan fragments of 200-250 kDa induce the expression of inflammatory cytokines, a specific role of hyaluronidases in the development or progression of nasal polyps may be concluded. Therefore, new treatment protocols may be proposed.
authors: Laboratory of Biochemistry, Section of Organic Chemistry and Natural Products, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, Patras, Greece.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Hatziri
authors: D H
authors: DH
authors: Vynios
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Panogeorgou
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Bouga
authors: I E
authors: IE
authors: Triantaphyllidou
authors: S S
authors: SS
authors: Naxakis
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Stathas
authors: A J
authors: AJ
authors: Aletras
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Kourousis
authors: N S
authors: NS
authors: Mastronikolis
mesh_terms: D015153:Blotting, Western; D006801:Humans; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase / Q000032:analysis*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000032:analysis; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000201:enzymology*
chemical_list: D007527:Isoenzymes; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase