Objective: To detect the expression of AQP5, HIF-1alpha and VEGF in human nasal polyps, and to observe the relationship of AQP5 with HIF-1a and VEGF, and to investigate their role in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps.
Method: Using the techniques of Real-time Quantitative Polymerase chain Reaction and Western blot, the expressions of AQP5, HIF-1alpha, VEGF mRNA and protein were examined. The specimens were obtained from patients underwent endoscopic surgery at the same time, including eighteen nasal polyps and ten inferior turbinate tissues.
Result: (1) The result of RT-PCR showed that the expressions of the AQP5 mRNA were lower in nasal polyps than those in inferior turbinate tissue (P < 0.01); there was no significant difference between the expression of HIF-1alpha mRNA or VEGF mRNA in nasal polyps and inferior turbinate tissues (P > 0.05); (2) According to the Western blot, there was no significant difference between the expression of AQP5 in nasal polyps and inferior turbinate tissues (P > 0.05); the expression of HIF-la or VEGF were higher in nasal polyps than those in inferior turbinate tissues (P < 0.05); (3) According to the Western blot, there was a positive correlation between the expression of AQP5 and that of HIF-1alpha (r = 0.633, P < 0.05), and the correlation was also existed between AQP5 and that of VEGF (r = 0.611, P < 0.05).
Conclusion: AQP5, HIF-1alpha, VEGF are all involved in the edema formation of nasal polyps. The changes of AQP5's distribution can cause accumulation of water in nasal polyps, HIF-1alpha, VEGF can induce new blood vessels and increase vasopermeability in nasal polyps; they have separate regulatory mechanism in edema formation, but might have some relationships in some ways.