Background

Interleukin (IL)-17A is a highly inflammatory cytokine with a robust effect on stromal cells in many tissues. Although IL-17A is known to be associated with inflammatory lung disorders by triggering an accumulation of neutrophils, the effect of IL-17A on the upper airway is still uncertain. The expression of IL-17A and its role were investigated in the nasal polyps of chronic rhinosinusitis associated with asthma.

Methods

IL-17A was detected by immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time RT-PCR. The cellular source of IL-17A was examined by double staining with EG2, CD4 and neutrophil elastase. The tissue remodeling of the nasal polyps was evaluated by assessing the epithelial damage and basement membrane thickness.

Results

Both the immunoreactivity and mRNA of IL-17A were significantly detected in the nasal polyps in comparison with control normal sinus mucosa. The localization of IL-17A expression predominantly coincided with eosinophils and CD4-positive lymphocytes. Furthermore, the number of IL-17A-positive cells correlated with tissue eosinophils, but not with neutrophils. The degree of epithelial damage and basement membrane thickness was dependent on the number of infiltrated IL-17A-positive cells.

Conclusion

The present study suggests, for the first time, that IL-17A plays an important role in the eosinophil accumulation in the nasal polyps and the remodeling of the nasal polyps of chronic rhinosinusitis associated with asthma.