Role of platelet-derived growth factor-α in eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

BACKGROUND

The pathogenesis of human chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) comprising eosinophilic CRSwNP (ECRSwNP) and non-eosinophilic (nECRSwNP) is not completely understood. Recent evidence has suggested that platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRα) is implicated in cell growth, transformation, proliferation, migration, and vascular permeability and platelet-derived growth factor-A (PDGF-A) is a specific ligand for PDGFRα. However, little is known about their roles in CRSwNP. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the expression and role of PDGFRα and PDGF-A in CRSwNP.

METHODS

PDGFRα protein expression was investigated by immunohistochemistry method and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of PDGFRα and PDGF-A were assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in CRSwNP patients and control subjects. Moreover, the effects of various stimulators with different concentrations and time on PDGFRα were evaluated on nasal explant culture.

RESULTS

Quantitative analysis of immunostaining for PDGFRα showed an obvious elevation in immunolabeling of PDGFRα in CRSwNP groups compared with controls. Furthermore, PDGFRα protein was significantly stronger expressed in ECRSwNP group than nECRSwNP group and atopic patients showed stronger expression of PDGFRα protein than nonatopic patients. The mRNA of PDGFRα and PDGF-A were overexpressed in CRSwNP, especially in ECRSwNP. PDGFRα mRNA expression was closely related to PDGF-A mRNA. In nasal explant culture and stimulation, PDGFRα mRNA was augmented by interleukin 4 (IL-4), IL-5, or IL-1β respectively, but suppressed by IL-27.

CONCLUSION

PDGFRα may play a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of ECRSwNP and nECRSwNP by combining with PDGF-A. IL-4, IL-5, or IL-1β may be critical for PDGFRα gene expression.