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Keratinocyte growth factor and its receptor messenger RNA expression in nasal mucosa and nasal polyps
T Ishibashi1, T Tanaka, K Nibu
1Department of Otolaryngology, Tokyo University Branch Hospital, Japan.
Abstract:
To examine the potential biologic role of fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) in nasal polyps and nasal mucosa during chronic inflammatory conditions, we investigated messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of three members of the FGF family -- acidic FGF, basic FGF, and keratinocyte growth factor (KGF)-- in nasal polyp tissues, as well as in hyperplastic nasal mucosa. Using the sensitive method reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), we demonstrated that of the examined FGFs, KGF had the most abundant mRNA expression in nasal polyps and nasal mucosa. We also found that significantly higher levels of KGF mRNA were expressed in nasal polyps than in nasal mucosa, whereas mRNA expression of acidic FGF and basic FGF was relatively low in these tissues. In addition, we showed that KGF receptor mRNA was present in most of the nasal mucosa; however, none or little was expressed in nasal polyps. These results suggest that KGF might play an important role in nasal epithelial proliferation and that excessive synthesis of KGF in nasal polyp stroma may contribute to hypertrophy of the nasal mucosa in patients with chronic sinusitis associated with nasal polyposis.
Insights
Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) shows high mRNA expression in nasal polyps, suggesting its role in nasal inflammation and tissue growth. This finding highlights KGF
Area of Science:
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Molecular Biology
- Inflammation Research
Background:
- Chronic inflammatory conditions like nasal polyposis involve complex cellular processes.
- Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are implicated in cell proliferation and tissue repair.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the biologic role of FGFs in nasal polyps and mucosa during chronic inflammation.
- To quantify the mRNA expression of specific FGFs and their receptors in these tissues.
Main Methods:
- Messenger RNA (mRNA) expression analysis using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
- Comparison of FGF and KGF receptor mRNA levels in nasal polyp tissues versus hyperplastic nasal mucosa.
Main Results:
- Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) exhibited the most abundant mRNA expression among the studied FGFs.
- Nasal polyps showed significantly higher KGF mRNA levels compared to nasal mucosa.
- KGF receptor mRNA was prevalent in nasal mucosa but scarce in nasal polyps.
Conclusions:
- KGF likely plays a crucial role in nasal epithelial cell proliferation.
- Elevated KGF synthesis in nasal polyp stroma may contribute to nasal mucosa hypertrophy in chronic sinusitis with nasal polyposis.