Transforming Growth Factor β1 in Nasal Remodeling: Differences between Chronic Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyposis

Abstract

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and nasal polyposis (NP) are histopathologically characterized by different gross morphological aspects. Transforming growth factor (TGF) β1 plays an important role in tissue remodeling, which is poorly understood in chronic diseases of the sinuses. Methods The expression of TGF-β1 was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, and immunohistochemistry in nasal tissue from controls (n = 6), CRS (n = 19), or NP (n = 19). Results CRS presented significantly higher concentrations of TGF-β1 at protein (p = 0.0008) and mRNA levels (p = 0.025) when compared with NP samples. In CRS, TGF-β1+ staining of the extracellular matrix was found abundantly and related to fibrosis. In contrast, no TGF-β1 staining was found in the pseudocyst areas in NP. Conclusions CRS was histologically characterized by fibrosis, which was reflected by a significantly higher expression of TGF-β1 at RNA and protein levels when compared with NP. We show that TGF-β1 expression is related to fibrosis, differentiating CRS without polyps from NP.

Part of CIRS Nexus · Curated by Lauren Lowenstein, The Biotoxin Lady