Growth-related oncogene-alpha expression in human nasal polyps

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.