Expression of mRNA Transcripts of the Na+/H+ and Cl-/HCO3- Exchanger Isoforms in Human Nasal Mucosa / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Electrolyte transport by nasal epithelia has been suggested to be important for controlling the quantity and composition of the nasal fluid and may play an important role in the development of nasal polyps. One of various mechanisms involving translocation of Na+ and Cl- across cell membranes includes electroneutral processes, such as Na+/H+ exchange (NHE) and Cl-/HCO3- exchange (AE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study evaluated the presence of mRNAs for various members of the human NHE and AE gene families in human inferior turbinate mucosa and nasal polyp using RT-PCR and in situ hybridization. RESULTS: The mRNA for NHE1 was detected in human turbinate mucosa and nasal polyp while the mRNAs for NHE2 and NHE3 could not be detected in all samples examined. Of the AE isoforms, AE2 mRNA was expressed in inferior turbinate mucosa but not in nasal polyp. In situ hybridization revealed that NHE1 mRNA in the turbinate mucosa and nasal polyp was localized in the epithelial layer and submucosal glands. AE2 mRNA was also expressed in the epithelial layer and in the submucosal glands of inferior turbinate mucosa. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the expression of AE2 mRNA is altered in nasal polyp, compared with inferior turbinate mucosa, suggesting that the altered expression of these genes in nasal polyp may cause impaired electrolyte and water transport across the epithelial cells.

Treatment Results and Prognostic Factors of T3 Supraglottic Cancer / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To analyze results of treatment and prognostic factors in patients with T3 supraglottic carcinoma and to compare results of treatment in patients with T3 transglottic carcinoma with T3 pure supraglottic carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHOD: A retrospective study was done on thirty-two patients who underwent a surgery or surgery with postoperative radiation therapy from 1990 to 2000. Neck dissection was performed in 27 patients and 24 patients received postoperative radiation therapy. RESULTS: The 3-year overall survival rate was 81.6%. The 3-year overall survival rate of T3 pure supraglottic carcinoma and T3 transglottic carcinoma were 91.7% and 73.2%, respectively (p<0.05). The univariate analysis revealed a prognostic significance for vocal cord fixation and statistical trend to age, dyspnea, clinical and pathological metastasis of cervical lymph node and postoperative radiation therapy (p<0.2). T3 transglottic carcinoma was significantly correlated with vocal cord fixation. CONCLUSION: Surgery or surgery with postoperative radiation therapy provides acceptable rates of cancer control and survival rate for patients with T3 supraglottic carcinoma. Transglottic involvement and vocal cord fixation shown by the fiberoptic laryngoscopy were significant prognostic factors. T3 transglottic cancer needs more aggressive management.

Expression of Midkine mRNA in Human Nasal Mucosa / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A heparin-binding polypeptide called midkine is a family of secreted growth/differentiation cytokines and has a role in tumor growth by enhancing endothelial proliferation, vascular density and angiogenesis. In this respect, midkine may be involved in the pathogenesis of nasal polyposis. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the expression of midkine mRNA in the human nasal mucosa and polyps. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The total RNA was isolated from freshly disected inferior turbinate of patients who underwent rhinoplasty and from nasal polyps of chronic rhinosinusitis patients. The expression and distribution of midkine mRNA was investigated by reverse transcriptse- polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and in situ hybridization. The midkine mRNA expression in nasal mucosa and polyps were semi-quantitatively evaluated by Southern blot hybridization. RESULTS: The expression of midkine mRNA was identified in both normal inferior turbinate and nasal polyp. Histochemistry of in situ hybridization revealed that midkine mRNA in normal inferior turbinate was intensely expressed in the surface epithelium, submucosal glands, vascular endothelium, and inflammatory cells scattered in submucosal tissues. Midkine mRNA was expressed in the nasal polyps, many inflammatory cells and newly formed vascular endothelium, but not in the newly formed glandular epithelium. In semi-quantitative southern blot hybridization, midkine mRNAs did not have different expression levels between inferior turbinate and nasal polyps. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that midkine mRNA is innately expressed in human nasal mucosa, playing a role in nasal physiology. Also, the results show that midkine may be involved in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps via angiogenesis, tissue growth, and inflammatory process.