Expression of Chemokine Receptors CCR1, CCR3, CCR4, CCR5, CCR8 and CXCR3 in Human Nasal Polyps (NP); Cmparison with NP From Allergic Patients with Aspirin Intolerance

Background: Inflammatory processes play an important role in development of nasal polyps (NP), but the etiology and to a great degree also the pathogenesis of NP is not known. Several cytokines and chemokines such as eotaxin, IL-3, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, RANTES may influence development of NP by regulation of migration, activation and survival of the chronic inflammatory cellular infiltrate.

Methods: In this study we investigated expression of selected chemokine receptors in human NP and non-affected human nasal mucosa and carried out a comparison with NP from allergic patients with aspirin intolerance. Biopsies of NP were obtained from 20 patients and 4 patients with NP and aspirin intolerance. Mucosal biopsy specimens of the inferior turbinate were obtained from 12 NP patients and 4 healthy controls. Using indirect imunohistochemistry, frozen tissue sections were stained for CCR1, CCR3, CCR4, CCR5, CCR8 and CXCR3.

Results: Numbers of infiltrating cells expressing CCR3, CCR8 and to a lesser extend also CCR1 were significantly higher in biopsies of NP compared to healthy nasal mucosa. Only a slight increase in CCR5 expressing cells was detected in NP compared to nasal mucosa. No differences in expression of CCR4 and CXCR3 were found in NP compared to nasal mucosa. There were no significant differences between NP of patients with or without aspirin intolerance.

Conclusions: We documented an increased expression of selected chemokine receptors within the cellular infiltrate of NP, that may play an important part in the inflammatory pathogenesis of  NP. (Supported by grant NS10054 from the IGA MZ, Czech Republic).