Cytokine profiles in Japanese patients with chronic rhinosinusitis

Abstract

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is classified in CRS without nasal polyp (CRSsNP) and CRS with nasal polyp (CRSwNP) in western countries, whereas this classification was not common so far in Japan. Studying inflammatory mediators in clearly defined disease subgroups may lead to a better differentiation of chronic sinus diseases.

Methods: Homogenates of sinonasal mucosal tissue from 14 controls, 9 CRSsNP patients, and 19 CRSwNP patients were assayed for transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, interleukin (IL)-5, immunoglobulin E (IgE), Staphylococcus enterotoxin (SAE)-IgE, eosinophil-catioic protein (ECP), myeloperoxidase (MPO), IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or UNICAP system.

Results: CRSwNP had significantly higher levels of IL-5, IgE, SAE-IgE, and ECP compared with CRSsNP and controls. CRSsNP was characterized by high levels of TGF-β, while CRSwNP showed a Th2 polarization and lower levels of TGF-β. Especially, in CRSwNP samples, 68.4% were eosinophilic (ECP/MPO ratio >1), and 52.6% were SAE-IgE positive. On the other hand, in 9 CRSsNP patients, eosinophilic or SAE-IgE positive sample was only one sample respectively. Additionally, 31.6% of CRSwNP were asthmatic patients, while none of CRSsNP patient was suffering from bronchial asthma.

Conclusions: This study is thought to be the first one that showed the cytokine profiles in Japanese CRSs/wNP similar to those of European CRS. Based on mediator profiles, we suggest that CRSsNP and CRSwNP are distinct disease entities within the group of chronic sinus diseases.