Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2026
07:00
Identification of OTX1 and OTX2 As Two Possible Molecular Markers for Sinonasal Carcinomas and Olfactory Neuroblastomas
Published on: February 28, 2019
Direct Maxillary Sinus Tissue Analysis for TAS2R38 Polymorphisms: Establishing a Tissue-Based Translational Framework
Andra-Lavinia Greța-Oanță1,2, Alexandra Roman3, Ioana Berindan-Neagoe4
1IInd Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Dental Medicine, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
|June 26, 2026
Summary
This study explored bitter taste receptor gene variants in odontogenic rhinosinusitis (ORS). While direct sinus tissue analysis is feasible, no significant association was found between TAS2R38 gene variants and ORS susceptibility in this pilot study.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Genetics
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Bitter taste receptors (T2Rs), particularly T2R38, play a role in respiratory innate immunity by responding to bacterial quorum-sensing molecules.
- TAS2R38 gene polymorphisms are linked to chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), but their role in odontogenic rhinosinusitis (ORS) remains uninvestigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a proof-of-concept methodology for analyzing TAS2R38 genetic variants in ORS using maxillary sinus tissue.
- To assess the feasibility of this translational approach for future ORS research.
Main Methods:
- A prospective pilot case-control study involving 36 ORS patients and 37 controls.
- Maxillary sinus mucosal biopsies were collected for genomic DNA extraction and TAS2R38 haplotype analysis.
- Phenotypes were classified as taster, non-taster, or intermediate.
Main Results:
- Genotyping-grade DNA was successfully recovered from inflamed sinus mucosa, validating its use for future analyses.
- No statistically significant association was observed between AVI/AVI non-taster status and ORS susceptibility (OR = 1.36, p = 0.775).
- Descriptive data showed a trend towards higher non-taster prevalence in ORS patients (31.3% vs. 25.0%), which warrants further investigation.
Conclusions:
- Direct maxillary sinus tissue is a viable source for genomic DNA extraction, supporting future molecular and microbiome studies in ORS.
- While this pilot study did not find a significant link between TAS2R38 variants and ORS, the demonstrated methodology and observed trend provide a basis for larger, confirmatory studies.
- This research lays the groundwork for investigating taste receptor genetics in ORS pathogenesis and developing personalized treatment strategies.
