[mRNA expression of extracellular matrix proteins of vocal fold polyps and Reinke edema]

To investigate the pathogenic mechanism of vocal fold polyps and Reinke's edema.

A reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique was adopted, mRNA levels of 9 proteins were measured in 12 vocal fold polyps, 2 Reinke's edema and 5 normal vocal folds (from total laryngectomy).

The results showed that in the vocal fold polyps, mRNA levels of collagenase and fibromodulin descended and levels of fibronectin increased (P < 0.05). mRNA levels of lysyl oxidase and hyaluronic acid synthase 2 had no statistic difference between lesions and normal vocal folds (P > 0.05). mRNA express of tropoelastin exon, elastase and hyaluronidase was positive in part of lesion tissue and positive in all normal vocal folds. mRNA of procollagen I was negative in both groups. In the Reinke's edema, mRNA express of fibronectin was close to vocal fold polyps and mRNA express of fibromodulin was close to normal vocal folds.

It was speculated phonation trauma and vocal fold restoring to trauma played an important role in pathogenic mechanism. Fibromodulin and fibronectin were two components involved in the disorders.