Transforming growth factor and neutralizing antibodies in subglottic stenosis

Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta1), which is implicated in the p athogenesis of Fibrotic diseases such as interstitial fibrosis. may be asso ciated with subglottic stenosis. To study this hypothesis, we measured TGF- beta1 expression sequentially in 28 rats after posterior cricoid injury, us ing both standard immunohistochemistry and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. In addition. an osmotic pump infused TGF-beta1 in 18 rats, normal saline solution in 9 rats, and neutralizing antibodies in 9 rats. S pecimens were stained for fibronectin and procollagen at 1, 7, and 21 days and underwent optical density analysis. In the injured airway, TGF-beta1 ex pression peaked at 1 day and returned to baseline by 21 days. The TGF-beta1 infusion led to an increase in the expression of extracellular matrix prot eins relative to controls. In contrast, neutralizing antibodies led to a de crease in extracellular matrix protein expression. These findings suggest t hat TGF-beta1 may possibly play a role in the pathogenesis of subglottic st enosis.