OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expressions of LL-37 and IL-8 in chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps.
METHOD: Semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemical staining were used to detect the expressions of LL-37 and IL-8 in nasal polyp tissues of 31 patients with chronic sinusitis and inferior turbinate tissues of 11 patients with chronic rhinitis.
RESULT: LL-37 and IL-8 mRNA were all positively expressed in all nasal polyps and inferior turbinate tissues. There were significant increases of LL-37 and IL-8 mRNA expressions in nasal polyps compared with the inferior turbinate tissues (P < 0.01). There were also significant increases of positive expression rates of LL-37 and IL-8 protein in nasal polyps, compared with the inferior turbinate tissues (P < 0.01). There was a positive relationship between the mRNA and protein expressions of LL37 and IL-8 (P < 0.01).
CONCLUSION: The expressions of LL-37 and IL-8 in nasal polyps suggest that they may play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic sinusitis. Besides its innate immune, LL-37 could enhance human body's anti-infected function by increasing acquired immune.