[γδ T cell expression and significance in chronic rhinosinusitis].

Objective: To explore the expression of γδ T cells in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and its potential significance in pathogenesis.

Methods: γδ T cell expression was detected by immunohistochemistry (Envision method). From polyps (25 CRS patients with nasal polyps, CRSwNP), inferior turbinate mucosa (13 CRS patients without nasal polyps, CRSsNP), and 16 inferior turbinate mucosa from patients with deviation of nasal septum served as control. The infiltration of eosinophils in eosinophilic CRSwNP was observed by HE staining. The differences of expression of γδ T cells between each groups were compared, meanwhile the relationship between γδ T cells and eosinophils were analyzed. SPSS 16.0 software was used to analyze the data.

Results: The positive range of γδ T cells in CRSwNP group and CRSsNP group was 88.0% and 84.6%, respectively, both higher than 37.5% in control group (χ(2) = 13.413, P < 0.01, χ(2) = 6.564, P < 0.05, respectively), CRSwNP group had no statistical significance compared with CRSsNP group (χ(2) = 0.086, P > 0.05). The expression of γδ T cells in CRSwNP group was stronger than CRSsNP group and control group (U = 596, P < 0.01, U = 296, P < 0.01, respectively); CRSsNP group was stronger than control group (U = 216, P < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between γδ T cells and eosinophils (r = 0.579, P < 0.05).

Conclusions: The expression of γδ T cells was increased in nasal mucosa of CRS. γδ T cells may be involved in the pathogenesis of CRS.