Objective: To study the expression and significance of TNF-alpha, MMP-9 and their relationship with the infiltration of eosinophil granulocyte in nasal polyps.
Method: The expression of TNF-alpha and MMP-9 was determined in tissues of nasal polyps from 30 patients(nasal polyps group) and in inferior turbinate mucosa tissues from 10 patients(control group) by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical technique, and the number of eosinophil granulocyte was counted in the same tissue by HE staining. Their correlations with each other were also analyzed in the tissue of nasal polyps.
Result: The number of TNF-alpha and MMP-9 positive cells and TNF-alpha positive blood vessels in nasal polyps were more than that in control group (P < 0.05). The number of both TNF-alpha positive cells and blood vessels had positive relationships with the number of eosinophil granulocyte, but there was only positive relationship between the number of MMP-9 positive cells and eosinophil granulocyte (P < 0.05). At the same time there was a positive relationship between the number of TNF-alpha and MMP-9 positive cells (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: TNF-alpha and MMP-9 may play an important role in the pathological mechanism of nasal polyps. TNF-alpha may induce the expression of MMP-9 and promote the migration of eosinophil granulocyte.