Expression of epidermal growth factors, erbBs, in the nasal mucosa of patients with chronic hypertrophic rhinitis

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the expression of erbBs in the nasal mucosa of patients with chronic hypertrophic rhinitis.

Procedures: Inferior turbinates were collected from 12 turbinectomized patients with allergic and nonallergic chronic hypertrophic rhinitis. Differential cell counts in the peripheral blood and allergy tests were conducted before surgery. The expressions of erbB1, 2, 3 and 4 were examined by fluorescence immunohistochemistry and by quantitative real-time transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Immunohistochemical fluorescence was quantitatively measured using image-analyzing software. Eosinophils infiltrated into the mucosa were counted in sections stained with Hansel solution.

Results: Each of the erbB types 1-4 was expressed in both epithelial cells and nasal gland cells. Immunoreactivity for erbB1 was strong and that for erbB2 and 3 was moderate, while that for erbB4 was faint. These findings were consistent with the results of qRT-PCR. The percentage of peripheral blood eosinophils was significantly correlated with the eosinophil count in the nasal mucosa and with immunoreactivity for erbB1 in the nasal gland.

Conclusions: These results suggest a possible role of eosinophils in regulating erbB1 and thus in regulating mucosal hypertrophy in chronic hypertrophic rhinitis.