Increased expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α in the nasal polyps

PurposeThe etiology and mechanism of nasal polyps are still not well known. A newly discovered transcriptional factor, hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), is a DNA-binding protein. Hypoxia-inducible factor is demonstrated to associate with various neoplasms. We investigate the expression of HIF-1α protein in nasal polyps compared with inferior turbinate mucosa, further examining the correlation to the computed tomography (CT) scoring and duration of symptoms with HIF-1α expression.Materials and methodsSurgical specimens of polyps from 38 patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery had immunohistochemical staining for HIF-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor. Thirty-six patients who had undergone septomeatoplasty were collected as a control group. The severity of the disease was judged by the Lund–Mackay scoring system by CT scanning.ResultThe expression of HIF-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor were significantly increased in nasal polyps than in the control group. No correlation was found between the severity of CT scan and duration of symptoms to the HIF-1α expression.ConclusionWe suggest that HIF-1α may play a role in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps.