Expression of genes that encode the annexin-1 and galectin-1 proteins in nasal polyposis and their modulation by glucocorticoid

Abstract

Rhinosinusal polyps physiopathology is not fully understand, despite numerous hypotheses regarding its inflammatory process.

Aims: A prospective study regarding the gene expression of proteins: anexin-1 and galectin-1, which has an anti-inflammatory action and is modulated by steroids.

Materials and methods: Eleven patients with rhinosinusal polyps suffered a biopsy of their polyps at two moments: in the absence of systemic steroids and during its use. In the two samples we assessed the expression of these genes and compared it to the normal nasal mucosa in the middle meatus.

Results: We noticed that the mean expression of the genes which code anexin-1 and galectin-1 was predominantly increased, regardless of the use of steroids in relation to the control nasal mucosa. Notwithstanding, in polyps without the use of steroids, the mean gene expression of anexin-1 was significantly higher than in the polyps which were under the use of steroids. Regarding galectin-1, there was no significant difference between the expression mean values before and after the use of systemic steroids.

Conclusion: The genes present an expression increase in the polyp mucosa, regardless of the use of steroids; nonetheless, the relationship of these two genes of anti-inflammatory proteins with steroids did not happen the same way.

Figure 1

Gene expression values in log2 of the anti-inflammatory protein annexin-1 in nasal polyps. RT-QPCR was used to measure mRNA levels of the annexin-1 protein-coding gene in samples of: normal nasal mucosa - control group; polyps without corticoids - group B1; and polyps with corticoids - group B2. Annexin-1 gene expression in polyp tissues without corticoids compared to controls (Chart A); polyps with corticoids compared to controls (Chart B); and polyps with corticoids compared to polyps without corticoids (Chart C).

Figure 2

Gene expression values in log 2 of the anti-inflammatory protein galectin-1 in nasal polyps. RT-QPCR was used to measure mRNA levels of the annexin-1 protein-coding gene in samples of: normal nasal mucosa - control group; polyps without corticoids - group B1; and polyps with corticoids - group B2. Galectin-1 gene expression in polyp tissues without corticoids compared to controls (Chart A); polyps with corticoids compared to controls (Chart B); and polyps with corticoids compared to polyps without corticoids (Chart C).