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Vascular endothelial growth factor expression in nasal polyps of aspirin-intolerant patients.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To study differences between aspirin-tolerant patients and aspirin-intolerant patients concerning vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression. Recent publications strongly suggest the involvement of VEGF and its receptors in the pathophysiologic process of nasal polyps.
DESIGN
We subjected 43 polyp specimens to semiquantitative immunohistochemical analysis. We quantified VEGF and its receptors (Flk, Flt, and neuropilin) in all samples. To gain insight into potential VEGF-mediated cellular responses, we determined proliferative (Ki67) and apoptotic (caspase 3) indices.
PATIENTS
Polyp samples were obtained from 22 aspirin-intolerant patients and from 21 aspirin-tolerant patients, and control specimens were obtained from 24 subjects with healthy nasal respiratory mucosa.
SETTING
Laboratory; Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Expression levels of VEGF, VEGF receptors. and proliferative and apoptotic indices.
RESULTS
We found higher expressed levels of VEGF and neuropilin and stronger proliferation in nasal polyps from aspirin-tolerant and aspirin-intolerant patients compared with controls. In polyps from aspirin-intolerant patients, VEGF was expressed at considerably higher levels compared with those from aspirin-tolerant subjects. Apoptotic activity remained unchanged in all 3 groups.
CONCLUSIONS
Nasal polyps from aspirin-tolerant and aspirin-intolerant patients are characterized by strong proliferation and high levels of VEGF and neuropilin expression. Nasal polyps from aspirin-intolerant patients show distinctly increased VEGF levels. The relevance of these findings for future therapeutic approaches is yet to be determined.

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    • Authors

    Fruth K, Zhu C, Schramek E, Angermair J, Kassem W, Haxel BR, Schneider A, Mann WJ, Brieger J

    Institution

    Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany. kai.fruth@unimedizin-mainz.de

    Source

    Archives of otolaryngology--head & neck surgery 138:3 2012 Mar pg 286-93

    MeSH

    Adolescent
    Adult
    Apoptosis
    Aspirin
    Caspase 3
    Female
    Humans
    Immunohistochemistry
    Ki-67 Antigen
    Male
    Middle Aged
    Nasal Polyps
    Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor
    Statistics, Nonparametric
    Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

    Pub Type(s)

    Journal Article

    Language

    eng

    PubMed ID

    22431874