[Expression and significance of human beta-defensin in recurrent nasal polyps].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the expression of human beta-defensin-1 (hBD-1) and human beta-defensin-2 (hBD-2) in recurrent nasal polyps, and to investigate the role of beta-defensin in the recurrent nasal polyps. METHODS: Tissues of nasal polyps was obtained from 10 patients with nasal polyps undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery, recurrent nasal polyps from 10 patients 6 months after surgery, nasal mucosa from 10 recovered patients with nasal polyps postoperatively and,10 control subjects. hBD-1 mRNA and hBD-2 mRNA levels of tissue specimens in all groups were detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: There was no significant difference in hBD-1 mRNA level between the 4 groups (P>0.05). Expression of hBD-2 mRNA was detected in patients with nasal polyps and recurrent nasal polyps, but rare in the recovered patients and the control subjects. CONCLUSION: hBD-1 is a constitutive expression and hBD-2 is an induced expression. beta-Defensin may play an important role in forming the nasal polyps.