Mast Cells, Eosinophils, and ICAM-1 Expression in the Nasal Polyps: Comparison with the Middle and the Inferior Turbinate Mucosae / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the contribution of eosinophils, mast cells, ICAM-1, and coexisting allergic rhinitis in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps by comparing with turbinate mucosae. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nasal polyps (NP), middle turbinate mucosa (MT) and inferior turbinate mucosa (IT) were taken from 18 patients with chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps. Among them, 8 patients had concomitant allergic rhinitis. Specimens were immunohistochemically stained to quantify mast cells, eosinophils, and ICAM-1 in the unit area of tissues. RESULTS: NP were infiltrated by significantly higher number of eosinophils as compared with MT and IT (median EG2 positive cells/mm2 153 in NP, 37 in MT, 11 in IT p<0.005). Numbers of mast cells (tryptase positive cells) in NP were significantly decreased as compared with those of IT (median 21 vs. 49/mm2, p<0.05). NP revealed significantly higher ICAM-1 expression both in the vessels and in the epithelia than IT (p<0.05). Presence of concomitant allergic rhinitis did not make any significant difference. There was no significant difference in eosinophils, mast cells, and ICAM-1 expression between MT and IT. CONCLUSION: NP revealed more eosinophils and ICAM-1 expression compared to the turbinate mucosa, regardless of concomitant allergic rhinitis. Though NP develops more frequently in the MT than in the IT, there are no significant differences in the number of eosinophils, mast cells, and the expression of ICAM-1 between them.