The role of superantigens in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

Recent reports suggest that staphylococcal exotoxins, acting as superantigens, activate T cells with subsequent massive proliferation, thereby contributing to the etiology of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). The objectives of this study are (1) to demonstrate directly the presence of staphylococcal exotoxins in nasal mucosa and sinonasal polyp tissue, and (2) provide indirect evidence of the effect of superantigens on the T cells expressing the target of superantigen, i.e.

[Relationship between Staphylococcal superantigens and the dominant expression of T-cell receptor V beta gene in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyp].

Objective: To analyse the relationship between superantigens produced by Staphylococcus aureus and the mRNA expression of T-cell receptor V beta region (TCR Vbeta), and to investigate the possible role of Staphylococcal superantigens in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps.

Methods: Sinonasal mucus and polyp/mucosa tissue were obtained from patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (22 patients with bilateral nasal polyps, 15 without nasal polyps) and 12 normal subjects as comparative negative controls. Mucus specimens were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for Staphylococcal exotoxins,and analyzed for the expression of TCR Vbeta genes using the technique of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

[The expression and significance of Fas/FasL in nasal polyps tissue].

Objective: To explore the induction and control effect of Fas/FasL system in the occurrence and evolution of nasal polyps tissue.

Method: Nasal polyps samples of 40 cases and 5 healthy adults were examined for the genic expressions of factors Fas and FasL by using the method of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Result: The results indicated that the expressions of FasL in nasal polyps was high, and the expressions of Fas was low.