Differential Expression Of AhR And TGF-?1 In Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps With Allergic Rhinitis

BACKGROUND:A variety of factors,including allergic factors and Transforming Growth Factor-beta1(TGF-?1),participate in the chronic rhinosinusitis(CRS)remodeling process.The aryl hydrocarbon receptor(AhR)is also involved in the process,although its role remains undefined.OBJECTIVE:This study aims to determine the AhR and TGF-?1 expression levels in chronic rhinosinusitis and their possible correlation with an allergic state and tissue remodeling.MATERIALS AND METHODS:Patients were enrolled and divided into four groups: CRS without nasal polyps(NP)without allergic rhinitis(AR)(CRSs NPs AR,n=20),CRSwith NP with AR(CRSwNPw AR,n=20),CRS with nasal polyps(NP)without AR(CRSwNPs AR,n=20)and controls(n=15).Tissue samples were analyzed by Masson's trichrome staining for collagen,while the location and expression of AhR and TGF-?1 were analyzed by immunohistochemistry,quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(q RT-PCR)and Western blotting.RESULTS:The collagen amounts,AhR and TGF-?1 m RNA and protein expression levels were significantly increased in the CRSs NPs AR group compared with those of the CRSwNP(CRSwNPs AR and CRSwNPw AR)samples(p<0.01).However,higher collagen amounts(p<0.05)and higher TGF-?1(p<0.05)but lower AhR expression levels(p<0.05)were detected in the CRSwNPw AR versus CRSwNPs AR patients.Both AhR and TGF-?1 expression were positively correlated with the collagen level in CRS samples(p<0.01).CONCLUSIONS:Elevated AhR expression may be involved in the progression of tissue remodeling in CRSs NPs AR similar to TGF-?1 expression.Conversely,lower AhR expression may be involved in allergic reactions in CRSwNPw AR.Elucidating the crosstalk between AhR and TGF-?1 during the CRS remodeling process requires further investigation.