Related Experiment Videos
Plasminogen activators in human nasal polyps and mucosa
K Larsen1, M P de Maat, J Jespersen
1Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic, Ribe County Hospital, South Jutland University Centre, Esbjerg, Denmark.
Rhinology
|April 9, 1998
Summary
Nasal polyps show a higher urokinase-like plasminogen activator (u-PA) to tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) ratio, suggesting u-PA
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Otorhinolaryngology
Background:
- Fibrinolysis, a process involved in inflammation, was investigated for its role in bilateral nasal polyposis.
- Bilateral nasal polyposis is a condition with a significant inflammatory component.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the involvement of fibrinolysis in bilateral nasal polyposis.
- To compare fibrinolytic activity, specifically tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and urokinase-like plasminogen activator (u-PA), in nasal polyps versus control nasal mucosa.
Main Methods:
- Assessed t-PA and u-PA activity and antigen levels in nasal polyp tissue and control nasal mucosa from 10 patients.
- Calculated the ratio of u-PA to t-PA activity.
Main Results:
- t-PA activity was significantly higher in nasal mucosa compared to nasal polyps (p = 0.03).
- u-PA activity was slightly lower in nasal mucosa than in nasal polyps (not significant).
- The u-PA to t-PA ratio was significantly higher in nasal polyps (22.8%) than in nasal mucosa (7.9%; p < 0.01).
Conclusions:
- The elevated u-PA/t-PA ratio in nasal polyps suggests a role for u-PA in the local inflammatory processes underlying this condition.
- Fibrinolytic activity, particularly involving u-PA, appears to be implicated in the pathogenesis of bilateral nasal polyposis.