[Expression and significance of surfactant A in nasal polyps of chronic rhinosinusitis].

OBJECTIVE: To detect the expression and distribution of surfactant A (SP-A) in nasal polyps and to probe into its significance in the pathology of nasal polyps. METHOD: Immunohistochemical staining and RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) were explored to detect SP-A in nasal polyps and controls. RESULT: In nasal polyp tissues, SP-A expressed not only in the cytoplasm of the epithelium but also in the cytoplasm of the plasma cells. Moreover it expressed in the serous glands but not in the mucous glands. The expression of SP-A was distributed in the same location of turbinates. But the expression of SP-A between nasal polyps and turbinates differed significantly (P < 0.05). SP-A mRNA was detected in the nasal polyps and controls. The expression potency ratio of SP-A/beta-actin in nasal polyps was stronger than in turbinates (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both nasal polyps and nasal mucosa expressed SP-A mRNA and protein, but the expression was stronger in nasal polyps. The role of SP-A in the innate immunity may contribute to the pathogenesis of nasal polyps. SP-A may become the new target in the therapy of chronic rhinosinusitis.