The Bak protein expression in germinal centers of hypertrophied adenoids in children

The TIMP-1 expression in germinal centers of hypertrophied adenoids in children

OBJECTIVES

The main aim of this study was to evaluate TIMP-1 expression in germinal centers of hypertrophied adenoids in children on the assumption that it can be treated as a marker of adenoidal tissue function.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study involved 54 children undergoing adenoidectomy; divided into three age groups: aged up to 5 years (8 children), 5-10 years (31 children) and over 10 years (15 children). The analyzed material was adenoids removed on the ground of hypertrophy, which caused obstructive symptoms and/or otitis media with effusion onset. Immunohistochemical analyses were carried out using monoclonal mouse antibody (Ab) (Novocastra) directed against human TIMP-1 protein. The presence of TIMP-1 positive lymphocytes within germinal centers and TIMP-1 immunostaining were scored.

RESULTS

The immunohistochemical staining showed the TIMP-1 positive lymphocytes mainly within the mantle zone. There was no statistically significant difference between the mean age of children for TIMP-1 immunoreaction levels. We have not found statistical correlation between the TIMP-1 staining and the clinical status of patients.

CONCLUSION

It is difficult to interpret our results. Our findings did not demonstrate changes in TIMP-1 expression according to age. This may indicate that the processes of hyperplasia, hypertrophy and atrophy of adenoid are not influenced by age and support our thesis that adenoid involution is rather the effect of changes in the number of lymphoid follicles that changes in them. However there is a need for further observational studies of TIMPs and MMPs in adenoid tissue.

IL-6 promotes the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor through the p38 signalling pathway in hypertrophied adenoids in children

OBJECTIVES

To examine the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in hypertrophied adenoids in children and investigate the possible regulatory mechanism.

METHODS

Thirty-eight children with hypertrophied adenoids (moderate, 16; severe, 22) were enrolled to investigate the VEGF expression in the adenoid tissues using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The IL-6 concentration in the nasopharyngeal secretions was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). VEGF mRNA expression was further measured in isolated adenoidal cells in vitro after IL-6 stimulation, and the activation of the p38 signalling pathway was determined by Western blot analysis.

RESULTS

Our findings showed extensive immunoreactivity of VEGF in the hypertrophied adenoids in children. The levels of VEGF protein and mRNA were significantly higher in severely hypertrophied adenoids than in moderately hypertrophied adenoids (P<0.05). The expression of IL-6 was detectable in the nasopharyngeal secretions, which was significantly associated with the severity of the hypertrophied adenoid. VEGF mRNA expression was upregulated in isolated adenoidal cells in vitro after IL-6 stimulation, and the p38 signalling pathway was activated.

CONCLUSIONS

The increased expression of VEGF in adenoid tissues suggests a possible role of the IL-6/VEGF axis in the pathogenesis of hypertrophied adenoids in children.