Expression of Transforming Growth Factor-Beta(TGF-beta) in Middle Ear Cholesteatoma / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

The role of transforming growth factor-beta(TGF-beta) in the proliferation and progression of the epithelium of middle ear cholesteatoma was studied. We eluciated the site and degree of expression of the TGF-beta mRNA in middle ear choleasteatoma using in situ hybridization method and compared with that in epidermis of external auditory canal skin, cholesterol granuloma and cervical lymph node. TGF-beta mRNA was intensely expressed in lymphatic cells of cervical lymph nodes while canal skin and cholesterol granuloma did not express TGF-beta mRNA. Expression of TGF-beta mRNA was detected in the basal layer of epithelium of cholesteatoma in 12(83%) and in all layer of epithelium of cholesteatoma in 7(50%) of 14 samples even though it was more intense in the basal layer of epithelium. The results of the present study suggest that TGF-beta may play a role of immunoregulator in a mechanism of epithelial basal cell proliferation in middle ear cholesteatoma.