A relationship between mast cells and alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive cells in the nasal polyps of chronic rhinosinusitis.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that mast cells (MCs) play a role in promoting nasal polyp (NP) formation and progression with alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA)-positive cells.

OBJECTIVES

We studied the quantification and the localization of MCs and myofibroblasts in NPs.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

We examined NPs from 12 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery. MCs and myofibroblasts that expressed alpha-SMA were detected immunohistochemically. The numbers of labeled cells were quantified in NPs. These cells were evaluated in the tip, central, and pedicle areas. The number of MCs was compared between low (zone 1), moderate (zone 2), and high (zone 3) zones of alpha-SMA-positive cells.

RESULTS

The number of MCs was significantly higher in pedicle areas than in tip areas of NPs. The distribution of alpha-SMA-positive cells tended to be more remarkable in pedicle areas than in tip and central areas of NPs. The number of MCs was significantly higher in zone 3 than in zone 1 of alpha-SMA-positive cells.