The cytokine growth-related oncogene-alpha (GRO-alpha) is a potent mediator
of leukocyte recruitment and proliferation in inflammatory diseases. We hy
pothesized that GRO-alpha is produced in the inflammatory nasal polyp micro
environment, Evaluation of nasal polyps from 27 patients for distribution a
nd content of GRO-alpha antigen, by use of immunohistochemical techniques a
nd ELISA, revealed its presence in all 27 tissue samples. It was found pred
ominantly within the eosinophils and neutrophils, with tissue levels rangin
g from 34 pg/mg total protein (TP) to 1746 pg/mg TP, with a mean value of 6
31 +/- 98 pg/mg TP. Control tissues contained between 82 pg/mg TP and 316 p
g/mg TP (mean 176 +/- 38 pg/mg TP). These results were statistically signif
icant (P < 0.03). Clinical correlations and statistical comparisons were ca
lculated. These data suggest that GRO-alpha may be an important factor in t
he recruitment and activation of leukocytes in nasal polyposis, making it a
potential target for therapeutic intervention.