비용에서 IL-4, IL-6, GM-CSF와 IFN-γ mRNA의 발현

Background and Objectives: Nasal polyps are chronic inflammatory polyps originating from the middle meatus and maxillary sinus, and are usually resistant to medical treatment and often recur after surgical resections. Although the etiology and the pathogenesis are still unknown, recent studies have suggested an immunologic role for the development of nasal polyps. This study aimed to investigate the cellular infiltration and cytokine mRNA expression in nasal polyps, and compare the histopathology and cytokine profile of patients with clinically different nasal polyps. Materials and Methods: Authors examined the infiltration of lymphocytes, eosinophils, and plasma cells as well as the expression of IL-4, IL-6, IFN-γ, and GM-CSF mRNAs using the semiquantitative RT-PCR method in antrochoanal (n=6), allergic nasal (n=6), and nonallergic nasal polyps (n=16), and the middle turbinate of normal controls (n=4). Results: Plasma cell infiltration was more intense in nasal polyps irrespective of the type (p<0.05), and eosinophil infiltration in allergic nasal polyps was more intense than in the normal tissue (p<0.05). Antrochoanal polyps showed higher levels of IL-4, IL-6, and GM-CSF mRNA expression, and increased IL-4/IFN-γ ratio, suggesting that the humoral immune reaction was predominant. Nonallergic nasal polyps showed higher levels of IFN-γ, and GM-CSF mRNA expression, and low IL-4/IFN-γ ratio, suggesting that the cellular immune reaction was predominant. Allergic nasal polyps showed higher levels of IL-4, IFN-γ, and GM-CSF mRNA expression, suggesting that both the cellular and humoral immune reactions may coexist. Conclusion: Different immune mechanisms may be responsible for nasal polyps of different clinical types. (J Clinical Otolaryngol 1999;10:53-60)