Growth-Related Oncogene-a Expression in Human Nasal Polyps

The cytokine growth-related oncogene-a (GRO-a) is a potent mediator of leukocyte recruitment and proliferation in inflammatory diseases. We hypothesized that GRO-a is produced in the inflammatory nasal polyp microenvironment. Evaluation of nasal polyps from 27 patients for distribution and content of GRO-a antigen, by use of immunohistochemical techniques and ELISA, revealed its presence in all 27 tissue samples. It was found predominantly within the eosinophils and neutrophils, with tissue levels ranging from 34 pg/mg total protein (TP) to 1746 pg/mg TP with a mean value of 631 ± 98 pg/mg TP. Control tissues contained between 82 pg/mg TP and 316 pg/mg TP (mean 176 ± 38 pg/mg TP). These results were statistically significant (P< 0.03). Clinical correlations and statistical comparisons were calculated. These data suggest that GRO-a may be an important factor in the recruitment and activation of leukocytes in nasal polyposis, making it a potential target for therapeutic intervention.