[Expression and distribution of aquaporin-2 in nasal polyps].

OBJECTIVE

To study the distribution and expression of aquaporion-2 (water channel protein; AQP-2) in nasal polyps and to evaluate the role of AQP-2 in the formation of nasal polyps.

METHODS

Eleven samples of normal inferior turbinates and forty-six samples of nasal polyps were used. In the group of nasal polyps, there were ten cases of type II phase 1, twelve type II phase 2, ten type II phase 3 and fourteen type III. The expression of AQP-2 in both groups was studied with immunohistochemical technique.

RESULTS

1. Both the number of AQP-2 positive cells and the area density in the epithelial cell layer from nasal polyps were higher than those from inferior turbinates (P < 0.01, P < 0.05 respectively); In the group of nasal polyps, the area density from type III, type II phase 2 and type II phase 3 was significantly higher than that from type II phase 1 (P < 0.05); 2. Both the number of AQP-2 positive cells and the area density in the subepithelial tissue from type III, type II phase 2 and type II phase 3 nasal polyps were higher than those from type II phase 1 nasal polyps and inferior turbinates(P < 0.05), whereas the difference between the latter two was not significant(P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The high expression of AQP-2 protein in nasal polyps may contribute to the genesis and development of nasal polyps.