Role of interferon gamma in pathogenesis of allergic nasal polyps in children

ABSTRACT

Nasal polyposis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the nasal mucosa with inflammatory cell, [especially neutrophil], infiltration and structural modifications of the epithelium [secretory hyperplasia and squamous metaplasia] and lamina propria [basement membrane thickening, extracellular matrix accumulation, and fibrosis]. The etiology of nasal polyosis in the pediatric population is unclear. The pathophysiological mechanisms of formation and growth of nasal polyps remain poorly understood. Nasal polyps were evaluated for distribution and levels of interferon gamma [IFN gamma] in specimens from 30 children with nasal polyposis and 10 controls. Immunohistochemical study revealed IFN gamma staining of eosinophils and epithelium [27 of 30 patients]. ELISA analysis showed elevated INF gamma levels in nasal polyp[NP] tissues 40.5 +/- 8.20 pg/mg total protein [TP] compared with controls [15.2 +/- 4.5 pg/mg TP]. Three groups were identified based on IFN gamma levels low IFN g group [11.7 +/- 5.51 pg/mg TP]; medium IFN gamma group [30.76 +/- 4.90 pg/mg TP]; and high IFN gamma group [60.54 +/- 11.28 pg/mg TP]. The later levels were approximately 3.5 times the control levels [P<0.005]. Patients with pervious polypectomy showed higher levels of IFN gamma compared with controls [P<0.05]