Background & Objectives: Nasal polyp (NP) and antrochoanal polyp (ACP) are soft tissue masses, featuring chronic inflammation and tissue remodeling. To elucidate the mechanism of tissue remodeling, we investigated the expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 in ACP and NP and compared them with normal inferior turbinate mucosa.
Subjects & Methods: Nasal samples, obtained from controls (n=10), from ACP (n=10) and from NP (n=13), were analysed by immunohistochemistry. MMP-2/-9 expression was identified in epithelial, endothelial, gland, inflammatory cells. We assessed MMP-2/-9 immunoreactivity of ACP and NP in comparison with the normal inferior turbinate. The number of immunostained inflammatory cells were determined.
Results: In ACP, compared with controls, the MMP-2 expression was increased in vessel endothelium, while the MMP-9 expression was increased in vessel endothelium and inflammatory cells. In NP, compared with controls, increased expression of MMP-9 was observed in gland and inflammatory cells.
Conclusion: ACP showed increased expression of MMP-2/-9, while NP showed increased expression of MMP-9. It is concluded that MMP-2/-9 in ACP and MMP-9 in NP may play a role in tissue remodeling.
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