[The expression of IL-9, IL-17 and Foxp3 in nasal polyps].

OBJECTIVE

To observe the expression of IL-9, IL-17 and Foxp3 in nasal polyps,so that to explore the role of Th9, Th17/Treg cells imbalance in pathogenesis of nasal polyposis.

METHOD: Forty cases of nasal polyps and 20 cases of normal middle turbinate mucosa (controls) were involved in this study. The expression patterns of IL-9, IL-17 and Foxp3 were detected by immunohistochemistry.

RESULT: The positive rates of IL-9 and IL-17 in nasal polyps tissues were respectively 75.0% and 80.0%, which were both significantly higher than those in the controls (positive rates were 35.0% and 50.0%, respectively), but the Foxp3 expression was downregulated in nasal polyps tissues (37.5%) compared to the controls (80.0%), P < 0.05 respectively.

CONCLUSION

The cytokines IL-9 and IL-17 are obviously involved in the occurrence and development of nasal polyposis, suggesting remarkable infiltration of Th9 and Th17/Treg imbalance exist in nasal polyps, both of which may play important roles in pathogenesis of nasal polyposis.