Comparative analysis of cytokine release from epithelial cell cultures of the upper airway.

INTRODUCTION: Upper airway epithelial cells show a multi-potential ability to produce a variety of cytokines/chemokines in the steady-state and under external stimuli. OBJECTIVE: To compare various cytokines/chemokines released from primary cultures of human nasal epithelial cells (HNECs) derived from healthy controls and subjects with allergic rhinitis (AR), chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNPs) in non- stimulated and IL-17A-stimulated conditions. METHODS: The supernatants derived from HNECs of healthy control, AR, CRSwNPs were used to measure 20 of cytokines/chemo- kines in the non-stimulated and IL-17A-stimulated conditions. RESULTS: AR and CRSwNPs showed significant up-regulation in the release of IL-6, IL-33, and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), and the release of IL-6, TSLP, granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) in comparison with normal controls, respectively. Secretion of GM-CSF and TNFα were enhanced in patients with nasal polyps as compared with AR. Stimulation with IL-17A enhanced the secretion of IL-8 and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) in the normal control, IL-6 and IL-8 in AR, and IL-6, TSLP, G-CSF, GM-CSF and TNFα in nasal polyps. CONCLUSION: Epithelial cells derived from AR and CRSwNPs showed up-regulation of secretion of several cytokines/chemokines both in the steady state and after IL-17A stimulation, which may contribute to the inflammatory responses of AR and CRSwNPs.

[Effects of topical Dry Nose Spray on the transepithelial water loss and potential difference in human nasal mucosa].

BACKGROUND: Nasal airway is the entrance to the respiratory tract. The upper airway has function of humidification and secretion. We have already demonstrated the human nasal mucosal water loss as the transepithelial water loss. The aim of this study is to evaluate the short term effect of DryNose TM Spray on the transepithelial loss and alteration of potential difference (PD) in human nasal mucosa. METHODS: Measurement of transepithelial water loss of nasal mucosa (TEWL) was performed on the inferior nasal turbinate by using Tewamerter TM210 (Courage + Khasaka electric, Germany). PD was measured using the Ussing's technique. RESULTS: The significant decrease in TEWL was observed after spray. On the other hands, PD did not change after spray. CONCLUSION: The effects of topical application of DryNose Spray on nasal mucosa decreased water loss.

Hypertonic saline alters electrical barrier of the airway epithelium.

OBJECTIVE: The effect of tonicity changes in nebulizer solutions and irrigations on nasal mucosa is not well known. The present study aims to determine the basic mechanism of hypertonic solution on airway epithelial barrier. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: We investigated the electrical potential difference (PD) that is influenced by both active transport and the transepithelial electrical resistance of the epithelial mucosa in the human nose in vivo. The short circuit current (SCC) revealed net ion transport across the epithelium in the guinea pig trachea in vitro. Finally, the size dependency of macromolecules across the tracheal mucosa was determined in vitro using FITC-labeled dextrans of different sizes. RESULTS: PD was significantly decreased after topical application of hypertonic solution both in human and in guinea pig nose. SCC was significantly decreased after application of hypertonic solution. The transport of these dextrans from the basolateral to the apical side was not increased significantly after apical application of hypertonic saline. CONCLUSIONS: Hypertonic saline enhances the electrical permeability of the airway epithelial mucosa but not transport of macromolecule in the short term.

Oncocytic carcinoma of the nasal cavity with widespread lymph node metastases.

The first case of oncocytic carcinoma which arose from the inferior turbinate of the nasal cavity with orbital invasion through the nasolacrimal canal and widespread lymph node metastases in the neck and face is reported here. The tumor metastasized rapidly, spread widely to the whole neck and face, and produced tumor emboli in the lymphatics and extranodal extension by rupture of the lymph node capsule in the absence of clinically palpable regional lymph node enlargement. We think the oncocytic carcinoma of the nasal cavity may be a high-grade malignancy tumor.

[Age distribution of transepithelial water loss in human nasal mucosa].

BACKGROUND: Dry nose is a common complaint in the elderly. Age distribution of transepithelial water loss of human nasal mucosa (TEWL) value was evaluated in this study. METHODS: Eighty-eight volunteers (50 men and 30 women) ranging from 10 to 75 years old were recruited for this study. Measurement of TEWL was performed on the inferior nasal turbinate. TEWL was measured with an evaporation meter applying Fick's law (Tewameter TM 300; Courage and Khazaka, Cologne, Germany). RESULTS: TEWL value tends to increase in order of age, indicating that the barrier function of epithelium may decline with age. CONCLUSION: The measurement of transepithelial water loss should be contributed to assess the efficiency of nasal mucosal barrier disorders in the elderly.

[Alternation of ion transport of airway epithelium by eicosanoids].

BACKGROUND: Airway surface liquid is thought to be regulated by the ion transport processes across the airway epithelium in a vectorial manner. Short circuit current (Isc) measured by Ussing chamber is an indication of electric permeability because of mutually related transportation of amount of ion between apical and basolateral membrane. METHODS: Guinea pig trachea was mounted on Ussing chamber and short-circuited current was determined continuously. After basolateral application of eicosanoids such as PGD2 and LTC4/LTD4/LTE4, Ramatroban, CRTH2 receptor antagonist and Pranlucast, LT receptor antagonist was added from basolateral side. A typical Cl-channel blocker, NPPB, was added from apical side. RESULTS: Isc were increased after basolateral application of eicosanoids. These effects were partly inhibited by each antagonist. Cl- channel blocker suppressed effects of each eicosanoids. CONCLUSION: Eicosanoids alter the ion transport mechanism via chloride channels on the airway epithelium that can be blocked by those antagonists.

Fungal extracts detected in eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis induced cytokines from the nasal polyp cells.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The role of fungi in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is still controversial. The present study was conducted to detect and identify fungal species from the nasal polyp tissues of eosinophilic and noneosinophilic CRS, and to determine the role of fungal antigens in cytokine production. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study. METHODS: Thirty-five specimens of nasal polyps were collected from patients with CRS and examined for fungus using culture, histology, and polymerase chain reaction analysis. The secretion of 14 cytokines stimulated by fungal extracts using dispersed nasal polyp cells (DNPCs) was determined by multiplex immunoassay. RESULTS: There was no microbiological growth (including fungus) in the cultures of homogenized nasal polyps. Furthermore, Grocott methanamine silver staining for all nasal polyps showed no fungal bodies. Sixteen of 35 samples of the nasal polyps showed amplification of fungal DNA. In none of the mucosa of the sphenoid sinus was fungal DNA detected. The number of eosinophils in the nasal polyps in which fungal DNA was detected was significantly higher than in the nasal polyps in which fungal DNA was not detected (P < .01). The extract of fungus enhanced the secretion of eosinophil-associated cytokines such as interleukine (IL)-5, IL-13, IL-17A, and RANTES (regulated on activation normal T-cell expressed and secreted), and proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-α, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor from DNPCs. CONCLUSIONS: The present study offers direct evidence supporting that fungal elements modify the inflammatory response in the nasal polyps of eosinophilic CRS.

Removal of nitrogen and phosphorus by Eucalyptus and Populus at a tertiary treated municipal wastewater sprayfield.

Various progenies of Eucalyptus grandis and E. amplifolia, and clones of Populus deltoides, were evaluated for plant removal of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) for 26 months at a municipal waste spray field in north Florida. Tertiary treated wastewater containing 2.73 mg L(-1) nitrate N and 0.30 mg L(-1) total P was applied using sprinkler irrigation (93.8 m3 ha(-1) d(-1)) to fast growing trees utilized for bioenergy. Eucalyptus amplifolia and E. grandis survived and grew very poorly as the result of severe winter injury in two successive years and were not evaluated for nutrient removal. Survival and growth of P. deltoides demonstrated suitability for phytoremediation, and selected clones were evaluated for biomass and nutrient content. Removals of total N (TN) and total P (TP) were greatest for main stem (36% and 44%, respectively) and foliage (44% and 36%, respectively). Low biomass producing clones generally had higher nutrient concentrations, but high biomass producing clones removed more TN and TP. Approximately 789 kg ha(-1) TN and 103 kg ha(-1) TP were removed by the highest biomass producing P. deltoides clone, representing 215% of N and 615% of P inputs.

Changes in intramaxillary sinus pressure following antrostomy, draining tubes, and YAMIK procedures in 25 patients treated for chronic paranasal sinusitis.

When conservative therapies are not effective in treating sinus infections, alternate steps can be taken to improve paranasal cavity ventilation. These measures may include surgical procedures such as intranasal endoscopic or maxillary sinus fenestration, and other procedures such as placement of a maxillary sinus tube or a YAMIK sinus catheter. We conducted a prospective study of 25 patients to investigate the effects on the nasal mucosa of improved ventilation between the nasal and paranasal cavities. We accomplished this by comparing (1) the results of simultaneously measured nasal cavity and intramaxillary sinus pressures before and after widening of ventilation openings, (2) changes in mucociliary transport function as measured by the saccharin test, and (3) changes in nasal airway resistance. Just as multiple transit routes between the nasal cavity and maxillary sinus give rise to greater fluctuations in intramaxillary sinus pressure, and just as rapid breathing gives rise to even greater pressure fluctuations than does quiet breathing, we believe that both intranasal cavity airflow velocity and the number of ventilation openings present have an effect on the state of ventilation between the nasal cavity and maxillary sinus. We also suggest that the establishment of maxillary sinus ventilation openings improves mucociliary clearance.

Measurement of water loss in human nasal mucosa.

BACKGROUND: Regulation of the barrier function in the nasal epithelium seems to be affected by the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis. The measurement of transepidermal water loss has proven to be an important noninvasive method for assessing the efficiency of the skin as a protective barrier. Although the nasal mucosal epithelium also has such a protective function, the precise mechanism still is unknown. METHODS: We studied the alteration of nasal mucosal water loss in the basal state and after the nontraumatic applications of physiological saline, hypertonic saline (10% NaCl), nasal barrier cream, and 10% glycerol on the mucosal surface of the inferior turbinate. RESULTS: We observed that nasal mucosal water loss was increased by hypertonic saline and decreased by nasal cream and glycerol. CONCLUSION: For the first time, we showed the human nasal mucosal water loss both in the basal state and after topical application of various substances.