Objective: To explore the role of tenascin (TN) and fibronectin (FN) in the pathophysiology of nasal polyp.
Methods: The expression of TN and FN in nasal polyps from 34 patients and in inferior turbinates from 20 patients with deviation of nasal septum was studied with immunohistochemical method. In patients with nasal polyps, the relations between expression and histopathologic characteristics, eosinophilias (EOS) infiltration, clinical staging and the size of nasal polyps were analyzed.
Results: (1) The gray score of TN and FN expression was 163.10 +/- 10.54 and 163.24 +/- 11.52 in nasal polyps respectively, whereas it was 175.49 +/- 9.29 and 173.93 +/- 7.92 in inferior turbinates respectively. The difference between two groups was significant(P < 0.01); (2) The expression of TN and FN in edematous type was significantly stronger than that in cystic fibrous and glandular type (P < 0.05); (3) The association between FN expression and EOS infiltration was significant(r = -0.60, P < 0.01); (4) The expression of TN and FN did not correlate with clinical staging and size(P > 0.05).
Conclusion: Abnormal ECM may contribute to proliferation of epithelium, accumulation of EOS and edema formation, as a result, to enhance the development of nasal polyps.