Abstract
Introduction Combination of chronic inflammation and an altered tissue remodeling process are
involved in the development of Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP).
Studies demonstrated that mesenchymal stem cells expressing the progenitor gene CD133 were involved in a significant reduction of the chronic inflammatory process in the
polypoid tissue.
Objective To evaluate the levels of CD133 (Prominin-1) in nasal polypoid tissue and its correlation
with interleukin-8 (IL-8) and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1).
Methods A total of 74 subjects were divided in the following groups: control group (n = 35); chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps nonpresenting comorbid asthma and
aspirin intolerance (CRSwNPnonAI) group (n = 27); and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps presenting comorbid asthma and
aspirin intolerance (CRSwNPAI) group (n = 12). Histologic analysis and also evaluation of the concentration of CD133, IL-8,
and TGF-β1 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits were performed in nasal
tissue obtained from nasal polypectomy or from middle turbinate tissue.
Results Higher eosinophilic infiltration was found in both CRSwNP groups by histologic analysis.
Lower levels of TGF-β1 and IL-8 were observed in both CRSwNP groups when compared
with the control group, whereas the CD133 levels were significantly reduced only in
the CRSwNPnonAI group compared with the control group.
Conclusion It was demonstrated that the nasal mucosa presenting polyposis showed a significant
reduction of CD133 levels, and also that this reduction was significantly correlated
with the reduction of TGF-β1 levels, but not with IL-8 levels. Therefore, these findings
may be involved in the altered inflammatory and remodeling processes observed in the
nasal polyposis.
Keywords
nose diseases - nasal polyps - aspirin-induced asthma - AC133 antigen - transforming
growth factor β1 - interleukin-8
