Expression of TNF-α in Cholesteatoma in Otitis Media

Objective To observe the expression and localization of tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α) of granulation tissue and cholesteatoma in chronic otitis media,and explore its relationship with chronic otitis media.Methods The expression of TNF-α was observed by immunohistochemical method in cholesteatoma,granulation tissue and normal external ear canal skin in 42 cases with chronic otitis media.Results The level of TNF-α in the group of the samples including cholesteatoma and granulation tissue increased significantly [(40.91±24.77)%vs(12.52±3.65)%]((P0.05)),compared with that in the group of granulation tissue.The level of TNF-α in the group of cholesteatoma was higher significantly(P0.05) than that in the group of granulation tissue[0.34±0.69)vs(0.19±0.06)].The epithelium of normal external ear canal skin was not stained.Conclusion The high expression of TNF-α in the granulation tissue and cholesteatoma indicates that TNF-α plays an important role in the formation and development of granulation tissue and cholesteatoma.The level of TNF-α in the epithelium of cholesteatoma is higher than in granulation tissue,which suggests that both are in the state of inflammation.