ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the association of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase-33 protein ('ADAM-33') expression in vocal polyp formation and to determine its correlation with clinical characteristics. METHODS: Medical charts and histological sections of 32 patients diagnosed with vocal polyps who underwent surgery were analysed. Controls were histopathologically normal vocal fold tissues obtained from 36 patients who underwent surgery for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect ADAM-33 expression in epithelial cells, stroma and vessels. RESULTS: All epithelial, stromal and vascular staining scores were significantly greater in polyp tissue than in controls (p < 0.001). Stromal ADAM-33 staining scores were higher in vocal polyp patients with a symptom duration of less than six months (p < 0.05). Vocal overuse or the presence of reflux symptoms, sinonasal symptoms or allergy did not affect ADAM-33 immunostaining scores (p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: In this study, ADAM-33 immunostaining was significantly increased in vocal polyps. Therefore, over-expression of this protein may be associated with vocal polyp pathogenesis.
Subject(s)
ADAM Proteins/analysis , Disintegrins/analysis , Laryngeal Diseases/metabolism , Polyps/chemistry , Vocal Cords , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Male , Middle Aged , Young AdultABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Proteases of the disintegrin and metalloproteinase family (also known as ADAM proteins) are involved in various physiological and pathological processes. This study assessed the expression of disintegrin and metalloproteinase family proteins 10, 12 and 17 in cholesteatoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study evaluated cholesteatoma specimens from 19 patients, and external ear canal skin samples from 7 of the same patients (as controls), for the expression of disintegrin and metalloproteinase family proteins 10, 12 and 17, using immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS AND ANALYSIS: The study observed over-expression of proteins 10 and 17 in blood vessels, and over-expression of proteins 12 and 17 in cholesteatoma stroma. Immunostaining scores for proteins 10, 12 and 17 in epithelial and inflammatory cells from cholesteatoma specimens versus control specimens showed no statistically significant differences. CONCLUSION: Over-expression of disintegrin and metalloproteinase family proteins 10, 12 and 17 in cholesteatoma may be related to cholesteatoma pathogenesis. These proteins deserve further study as they may represent potential targets for cholesteatoma treatment.
Subject(s)
Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear/metabolism , Disintegrins/metabolism , Matrix Metalloproteinase 10/metabolism , Matrix Metalloproteinase 12/metabolism , Matrix Metalloproteinases, Membrane-Associated/metabolism , Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear/pathology , Humans , ImmunohistochemistryABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: A disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain containing protein 33 (also known as ADAM-33) is a member of a matrix metalloproteinase family which mediates extracellular matrix remodelling and changes in cellular adhesion. This study aimed to evaluate expression of this protein in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, and to determine its correlation with patients' clinicopathological characteristics. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty paraffin blocks of laryngeal carcinoma underwent immunohistochemical staining to detect "a disintegrin and metalloproteinase-33" expression. Case records were reviewed to determine patient characteristics. RESULTS: All epithelial, vascular and stromal staining scores were significantly increased in tumour tissue compared with controls (p < 0.001). However, patients' clinical characteristics at the time of diagnosis, and their disease extent, did not correlate significantly with the immunohistochemical staining scores. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that increased expression of "a disintegrin and metalloproteinase-33" may play a role in the pathogenesis of laryngeal carcinoma.
