[Expression and the correlation of AQP5, HIF-1alpha and VEGF in human nasal polyps]

To detect the expression of AQP5, HIF-1alpha and VEGF in human nasal polyps, and to observe the relationship of AQP5 with HIF-1a and VEGF, and to investigate their role in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps.

Using the techniques of Real-time Quantitative Polymerase chain Reaction and Western blot, the expressions of AQP5, HIF-1alpha, VEGF mRNA and protein were examined. The specimens were obtained from patients underwent endoscopic surgery at the same time, including eighteen nasal polyps and ten inferior turbinate tissues.

(1) The result of RT-PCR showed that the expressions of the AQP5 mRNA were lower in nasal polyps than those in inferior turbinate tissue (P < 0.01); there was no significant difference between the expression of HIF-1alpha mRNA or VEGF mRNA in nasal polyps and inferior turbinate tissues (P > 0.05); (2) According to the Western blot, there was no significant difference between the expression of AQP5 in nasal polyps and inferior turbinate tissues (P > 0.05); the expression of HIF-la or VEGF were higher in nasal polyps than those in inferior turbinate tissues (P < 0.05); (3) According to the Western blot, there was a positive correlation between the expression of AQP5 and that of HIF-1alpha (r = 0.633, P < 0.05), and the correlation was also existed between AQP5 and that of VEGF (r = 0.611, P < 0.05).

AQP5, HIF-1alpha, VEGF are all involved in the edema formation of nasal polyps. The changes of AQP5's distribution can cause accumulation of water in nasal polyps, HIF-1alpha, VEGF can induce new blood vessels and increase vasopermeability in nasal polyps; they have separate regulatory mechanism in edema formation, but might have some relationships in some ways.