[The role of CD137 in the growth of nasal polyps].

Objective: To determine the roles of CD137 in the etiology of nasal polyps by immunohistochemistry.

Method: Forty-four samples of nasal polyps and 11 control samples were studied. Forty-four samples were divided into group A and B on the basis of the endoscopic findings, computed tomography and the criterion of chronic sinusitis and nasal polyp classification. The slides were stained with antibody CD137. Positive eosinophils of CD137 in selected samples were observed. All data were analyzed with chi2 test using SPSS10.0 software.

Result: Positive CD137 immunostainning show a significant difference between group A and B.

Conclusion: Eosinophil and cytokine plays an important role in the mechanism leading to the growth of nasal polyps. The tissue eosinophils of nasal polyps express CD137. The closed relation was shown among the expression of CD137, the tissue eosinophilia and extent of nasal polyps. This result indicates the CD137 expression might limit GM-CSF-mediated and IL-5-mediated antiapoptosis of eosinophils.