Relationship between the Level of CC Chemokine Receptor mRNA Expression and the Number of Infiltrated Eosinophils in Nasal Polyps and Inferior Turbinate Mucosa

ABSTRACT

The exact pathogenesis of nasal polyposis is unknown, but inflammation is thought to be an important factor in its development. CC chemokines and CC chemokine receptors on inflammatory cells influence the cells' migration to the inflammation sites. In an attempt to better understand the events of this migration, we performed an analysis of the CC chemokine receptors mRNA in nasal polyps, allergic inferior turbinate mucosa and hypertrophic inferior turbinate mucosa. The expression of CC chemokine receptor mRNA was measured with an RT-PCR in 20 samples of nasal polyps, seven samples of allergic inferior turbinate mucosa and six samples of hypertrophic inferior turbinate mucosa. The results showed the expression levels of CCR2, CCR3, CCR4, and CCR5 mRNA to be higher in the nasal polyps than in the mucosa taken from the allergic and hypertrophic inferior turbinates. CCR4 and CCR5 mRNA expressed more strongly than did CCR1, CCR2 and CCR3 mRNA (p<0.001). The number of infiltrating eosinophils correlated with the level of CCR3 mRNA expression (p<0.001).