Roxithromycin Suppresses MUC5B/8 Mucin Genes and Mucin Production in Airway Epithelial Cells / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Macrolide antibiotics are known to inhibit mucus hypersecretion in patients with chronic airway diseases, but its action mechanism is unclear. Several reports demonstrated that macrolides significantly inhibited gene expression of MUC2, MUC4 and MUC5AC in the airway epithelial cells, but little is known about its inhibitory effect for the other important airway mucins. In upper airway tracts, MUC5B and MUC8 are other important secreted mucin genes. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigate the effects of roxithromycin on the IL-1beta-induced gene expression and mucin production of MUC5B and MUC8 in NCI-H292 cells and cultured human nasal polyp epithelial cells. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: The effects of roxithromycin on the IL-1beta-induced MUC5B and MUC8 expression were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Roxithromycin attenuated the IL-1beta-induced MUC5B and MUC8 gene expression and mucin production with a dose-dependent pattern in NCI-H292 epithelial cells and cultured human nasal polyp epithelial cells. CONCLUSION: Roxithromycin exerts direct inhibitory effects on the gene expression of MUC5B and MUC8 in airway epithelial cells. These novel findings may explain the clinical efficacy of 14-membered macrolides in the treatment of chronic airway inflammations.

In Vitro Culture of Human Nasal Epithelial Cells by Monolayer Culture of Dissociated Cells / 영남의대학술지

Different techniques for culturing respiratory epithelial cells have been developed to overcome the limitations of studies on in vivo and on bioptic material. Traditionally, culture systems are divided into organ cultures, explant cultures and dissociated cell cultures. The first two contain both epithelial and non-epithelial cells. However, in monolayer cultures of dissociated cells only epithelial cells are present, the effects observed are caused by a pure epithelial responses. The purpose of this study is to establish primary culture method of human nasal epithelium (HNEC) by monolayer culture of dissociated cells to evaluate the role of the epithelial cells in the allergic and non-allergic nasal inflammatory reactions. HNEC was prepared by primary culture method of monolayer culture of dissociated cells from human inferior nasal turbinate mucosa of septal deviation patients. Primary cultured cells were characterized by indirect immunofluorescence assay and transmission electron microscopy. The immunoreactivities of cytokeratin-pan and cytokeratin No. 8 were observed in cultured HNEC. However, the immnoreactivities of vimentin and von Willebrand factor were not observed in cultured HNEC. The tonofilaments and desmosome were observed in cultured HNEC. The cultured epithelial cells were identified to be pure nasal epithelial cells. The monolayer culture of dissociated cells could successfully be employed for further study to investigate the role of the epithelial cells in allergic or non-allergic nasal inflammatory diseases.

Primary Presentation of Malignant Lymphoma in the Middle Ear Cleft: A Case Report / 대한이비인후과학회지

Most malignant lesions of the middle ear and mastoid cavity are usually originated from the epithelium. The squamous cell carcinoma accounts for 75-90% of all malignant tumors in this localization. However, malignant lymphoma of the middle ear cleft is very rare condition and usually occurs as an extension from the temporal bone, affected along the other organs in generalized lymphoma. Also, primary presentation of malignant lymphoma in the middle ear cleft is very extremely rare and only seven cases could be traced in the available literature2)5)6)11)12)13)14). We present a very rare case of diffuse large cell type non-Hodgkin's malignant lymphoma with primary presentation in the middle ear cleft in 30 year-old male patient. So, the authors first report a case of malignant lymphoma of the middle ear cleft in Korea with review of literature.

Clinical Study of Inverted Papilloma of the Nose and Paranasal Sinuses / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND: Inverted papilloma is a benign sinonasal tumor which is locally aggressive and has a significant malignant potential. Complete en bloc excision via lateral rhinotomy and medial maxillectomy has been the mainstay in the treatment in majority of patients. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to evaluate clinical features and outcomes of surgical treatment according to various surgical approaches(external approach vs transnasal endoscopic approach) in the treatment of inverted papilloma of the nose and paranasal sinuses. MATERIALS AND METHOD: We retrospectively examined 24 cases of inverted papilloma of the nose and paranasal sinuses treated in our department from January 1990 to April 1995. We reviewed clinical features, radiologic findings, operative findings, association with malignancy, and outcomes of various surgical approaches. RESULTS: Fifteen patients underwent surgical excision. Of this patients followed up for at least 18 months, lateral rhinotomy was performed in 10 patients, midfacial deglobing in 1 patient and endoscopic surgery in 3 patients. The most common symptoms were nasal obstruction(93.3%) and nasal discharge(80.0%). Ten cases(66.7%) had history of previous nasal surgery. The lateral nasal wall was most frequent site of tumor involvement and concurrent involvement of the adjacent paranasal sinuses was observed in 11 cases. No recurrence was observed both external approach and transnasal endoscopic surgery. CONCLUSION: The optimal management of inverted papilloma of nose and paranasal sinuses is complete excision of tumor and choice of adequate surgical approach(external approach or transnasal endoscopic approach).