비용조직에서 Galectin-3 발현에 대한 면역조직학적 연구

Background and Objectives: Nasal polyp is benign growth processes in the nasal and sinus mucosa. Galectin-3 is a beta-galactoside binding protein, of which the major function is not fully elucidated. Galectin-3 expression can be linked to the benign growth activity of nasal polyps due to an anti-apoptotic effector activity. To illustrate the role of the galectin-3 in the nasal polyp, we investigated the expressive pattern of the galectin-3 in nasal polyp and the influence of corticosteroid on its expression. Materials and Methods: The study materials were 30 specimens of nasal polyp (steroid user: 14 cases, steroid non-user: 16 cases) taken from 30 patients during endoscopic sinus surgery and 10 cases of normal nasal mucosa of the inferior turbinate as control. The galectin-3 expression was assessed by immunohistochemical staining. Results: The galectin-3 expression in the surface epithelium, lamina propria and glands was markedly higher in nasal polyps than in turbinates. There was significantly different in the expression of galectin-3 between the steroid user group and the non-user group of nasal polyps. The galectin-3 expression in the surface epithelium and glands was markedly lower in steroid user group than in non-user group. Conclusion: Galectin-3 may be associated with growth of nasal polyp. Oral corticosteroids may exert a beneficial effect by significantly reducing the levels of galectin-3 in nasal polyp. (J Clinical Otolaryngol 2007;18:190–194)