Abstract:

Objective   To investigate the epithelial-mesenchymal transition state (EMT) of patients with chronic sinusitis and to analyze the correlation of EMT with clinical data and symptom scores and its prognostic significance for patients. Methods   The nasal or sinus mucosa specimens of 30 patients with chronic sinusitis and 15 healthy people were collected. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-PCR) was used to detect relative expressions of epithelial marker E-cadherin mRNA and mesenchymal marker α-SMA mRNA. Pearson was used to analyze its correlation with symptoms score. Results   Compared with the control group, the relative expression of epithelial cell marker E-cadherin mRNA decreased and α-SMA mRNA relative expression increased suggesting the existence of EMT; α-SMA mRNA expression was positively correlated with smoking, and E-cadherin mRNA expression was negatively correlated with age, disease duration and smoking (P<0.05); The correlation of sleep score, Lund-Kennedy total score, anterior ethmoid score and α-SMA mRNA expression was positive, while the correlation of nasal symptoms score, Lund-Kennedy total score, and Lund-Mackay total score and E-cadherin mRNA expression was negative(P<0.05). Conclusion   In the nasal or sinus mucosa of CRS patients without nasal polyps, EMT exists. The more severe the CRS is, the more obvious the EMT is. EMT has a certain suggestive significance for prognosis and outcome of the patients.

Key words: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition, Chronic sinusitis, α-SMA, E-cadherin