The Effect of Cigarette Smoking on the Expression of MMP-9, TIMP-1 and VEGF in Nasal Polyp Epithelial Cells and Fibroblasts

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: It has been known that MMP-9, TIMP-1, and VEGF play an important role in the formation of nasal polyps (NPs). The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of smoking on the expression of MMP-9, TIMP-1 and VEGF in the epithelial cells and fibroblasts of NPs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The epithelial cells and fibroblasts of NPs obtained from 10 patients who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery were cultured and used. The prepared CSE concentrations were 5%, 1%, 0.5% and 0.1%. In the control group, cells were cultured for 9 hours in the media containing 1 ml of AEGM and DMEM/F-12K. In the CSE group, cells were treated with 5%, 1%, 0.5% and 0.1% CSE for 9 hours. After washing with PBS, cells were cultured in medium for 24 hours. ELISA was performed to measure the secretion of MMP-9, TIMP-1 and VEGF proteins and real-time PCR was performed to assay their mRNAs. RESULTS: The production of MMP-9, TIMP-1 and VEGF proteins did not change significantly in comparison with the control group in epithelial cells and fibroblasts after exposure to CSE. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that CSE does not appear to have an effect on the expression of MMP-9, TIMP-1 and VEGF for developing and growth of nasal polyposis.