Human neutrophil elastase induces MUC5AC overexpression in chronic rhinosinusitis through tumour necrosis factor-α converting enzyme.

Conclusion The HNE-TACE signalling pathway has an important role in the process of MUC5AC overexpression in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Objectives To provide evidence of HNE-induced MUC5AC overexpression in CRS via TACE. Method HE and PAS staining were used to assess the pathological changes in sinus mucosa samples from CRS or normal control. HNE, TACE, and MUC5AC expression in the sinonasal mucosa was determined using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). In addition, the MUC5AC and TACE expression was determined in a primary culture of human nasal mucosa epithelial cells in vitro. Results On HE staining, the main pathological feature in the sinus mucosa of CRS patients was hyperplasia of goblet cells, inflammatory cells, and submucosal glands. Mucosa from the two experimental groups also showed strong expression on PAS staining. IHC and qRT-PCR demonstrated that HNE, TACE, and MUC5AC expression was significantly higher in the CRS patients compared with control samples (p < 0.05). MUC5AC mRNA expression was higher in cells stimulated by HNE than in untreated cells (p < 0.05). MUC5AC mRNA expression was significantly reduced in cells pre-treated with the TACE inhibitor TAPI-1 prior to HNE stimulation, compared with untreated and HNE-stimulated cells (p < 0.01).