Background: Nasal polyps are benign lesions originating from the nasal mucosa or paranasal sinuses. The most important etiological factor seems to be increased hydration of epithelium and hyperplasia of the extracellular matrix, which may involve hyaluronan, a high molecular mass extracellular glycosaminoglycan. Degradation of hyaluronan proceeds through the action of specific hyaluronidases.
Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the hydrodynamic size of hyaluronan and the presence of the various hyaluronidase isoforms in nasal polyps.
Methods: Samples of polypoid mucosal tissue and normal nasal mucosa were obtained from twenty patients suffering from nasal polyposis. Zymographic analysis and western blotting were used to detect hyaluronidase activity.
Results: The results indicated the presence of hyaluronan of small molecular mass in all samples examined. About one third of it has a mean molecular mass of 240 kDa, exactly that required for the expression of inflammatory response. Laboratory analysis suggested that degradation of hyaluronan occurred through the action of three hyaluronidase isoforms: Hyal-1, Hyal-2 and PH-20.
Conclusions: Since hyaluronan fragments of 200-250 kDa induce the expression of inflammatory cytokines, a specific role of hyaluronidases in the development or progression of nasal polyps may be concluded. Therefore, new treatment protocols may be proposed.