Cytokine profiles in nasal fluid in patients with nasal polyps: A flow cytometric study

Abstract

Biological markers in nasal fluid provide valuable information on nasal pathophysiology. The aims of this study were to compare the cytokine profiles of nasal fluid in subjects with nasal polyps (NP) and co-morbid asthma and NP patients without asthma and to determine the role of these cytokines in the development of NP. Thirty patients with NP (15 asthmatic and 15 non asthmatic) were included in this prospective study. Nasal secretion samples were collected from nasal cavities of all 30 subjects. The levels of eleven cytokines (TNF-α, TNF-β, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, and IFN-γ) were measured using flow cytometry. The concentrations of Th2 cytokines IL-5, IL-6 and IL-10 were significantly higher in patients with NP and asthma compared with subjects with NP without asthma. We also found significantly higher levels of IFN-α, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 in allergic patients with NP and asthma compared with those without asthma. In nonallergic patients with NP and asthma, the concentrations of TNF-α, IL-5 and IL-6 were significantly higher than in nonallergic patients with NP without asthma. Our results show that the presence of Th2 cytokines, especially IL-5 and IL-6 in patients with NP and asthma is a more prominent feature than in those without asthma that relates to the increased eosinophilic inflammation. We have also found a significant influence of allergy on the cytokine profiles both in asthmatic and nonasthmatic patients.