Fibrotic Tissue and Middle Turbinate Exhibit Similar Mechanical Properties. Is Fibrosis a Solution in Nasal Polyposis?

Expression of Major Basic Protein and Endothelial Adhesion Molecules in Chronically Inflamed Mucosa of the Ethmoid Labyrinth

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Tissue remodeling, including dense eosinophil infiltration, is essential for forming inflammatory nasal polyps (NPs) and the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). Toxic eosinophil major basic protein (MBP) damages the sinus mucosa epithelium and lamina propria, which initiates reparative processes leading to tissue remodeling. MBP specifically binds to BMK-13 antibodies allowing immunohistochemical (IHC) tissue staining for eosinophils. This study evaluated the association between NP stromal BMK-13 and endothelial adhesion molecule staining, and clinical parameters of NP patients compared to IHC expression and clinical parameters in subjects with healthy nasal mucosa.

METHODS

We included 30 patients with bilateral NPs who were selected for endoscopic ethmoidectomy. The control group was of 30 subjects with non-inflamed nasal mucosa but with middle turbinate aeration, chosen for surgery. All participants were clinically scored before surgery, according to quality of life (QoL) outcome and symptoms. The degree of disease extension on computed tomography scans of the paranasal sinuses was also evaluated. Tissue samples after surgery were IHC stained for BMK-13 and endothelial proliferation markers CD31 and CD34.

RESULTS

Expression of BMK-13, CD31, and CD34 in tissues of NPs was higher than in healthy nasal mucosa. Positive correlations were observed between BMK-13 expression, impaired QoL, and radiologically assessed extension of inflammation in NP patients.

CONCLUSION

Apart from the fact that the NP tissue has, as expected, more intense eosinophilic infiltration, the proliferation of blood vessels is more pronounced in the NP tissue than in the tissue of healthy nasal mucosa. Expression of MBP in the tissue of ethmoidal NPs could serve as a potential marker of the degree of expansion of CRSwNP and indicate the severity of the disease.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

None, because it was a cross-sectional study.

Differential Angiogenic Induction Impacts Nasal Polyp Tissue Growth

In chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, inflammatory edema drives tissue remodeling favoring anomalous growth of the nasal mucosa, but a proangiogenic contribution of nasal polyp in support of tissue growth is still controversial. The chorioallantoic membrane of chicken embryo model was employed to address the potentiality of nasal tissue fragments to modulate angiogenesis. Fifty-seven fertilized eggs were implanted with polyp or healthy nasal mucosa tissue or were kept as non-implanted controls. The embryos' size, length, and development stage, and chorioallantoic membrane vasculature morphology were evaluated after 48 h. Quantitative computer vision techniques applied to digital chorioallantoic membrane images automatically calculated the branching index as the ratio between the areas of the convex polygon surrounding the vascular tree and the vessels' area. Ethics approval and consent to participate: the study was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of São Paulo (CAAE number: 80763117.1.0000.5505) and by the Animal Research Ethics Committee of University of São Paulo (nº CEUA 602-2019). Mucosal, but not polyp tissue implants, hampered embryo development and induced underdeveloped chorioallantoic membranes with anastomosed, interrupted, and regressive vessels. Vessels' areas and branching indexes were higher among the chorioallantoic membranes with polyp implants and controls than among those with healthy mucosa implants. Nasal polyp presents differential angiogenic induction that impacts tissue growth.

Impact of Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyposis on IL-12 and IL-8

Introduction

The pathophysiology of Chronic Rhinosinusitis is coordinated by distinct inflammatory reactions in different individuals. Inflammatory environments with a predominance of Th2 lymphocytes tend also to be rich in eosinophils. These environments are common during the formation of nasal polyps associated with aspirin intolerance, which is also marked by an increase in inflammatory mediators, especially IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13. Despite the significance of these inflammatory mediators, the relevance of IL-12 subunits' presence within eosinophilic nasal polyps, however, has been less studied. The current study aims to evaluate the presence of IL-12 subunits, IL-12p40 and IL-12p70, in eosinophilic nasal polyps and their correlations with IL-8 presence.

Materials and Methods

We compared the concentrations of IL-8, IL12p40, and IL12p70 among samples of eosinophilic nasal polypoid tissue, eosinophilic nasal polypoid tissue associated with aspirin intolerance, and healthy nasal mucosa, using an indirect immunoassay (ELISA) kit.

Results

When compared to healthy nasal mucosa, there was a lower concentration of IL-8 in Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyp (CRSwNP) tissue. Aspirin Intolerant polypoid tissue also presented a lower concentration of IL-12 subunits compared to healthy nasal mucosa. There was no significant correlation between IL-8 and IL-12 in the eosinophilic polypoid conditions.

Conclusion

In CRSwNP, there is a reduction in IL-8 and IL-12 subunits compared to control, with a lack of correlation between IL-12 and IL-8. The lack of correlation can be justified by a type two inflammatory storm environment.

Structural changes in the extracellular matrix after cross-linking of nasal polyp tissue

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis is a disease characterised by a mechanical dysfunction that facilitates anomalous growth of the nasal mucosa, due to its unique remodelling process. The development of procedures capable of interfering with this process is thus of the utmost importance. This study deals with the evaluation of the effects of cross-linking upon the nasal polyp tissue extracellular matrix. Six patients undergoing surgery for polypectomy were selected. The riboflavin/UVA collagen cross-linking technique was applied to the surface of epithelialised and de-epithelialised resected polyps of the intervention group. The control group polyps were not submitted to cross-linking procedures. Ultrathin polyp tissue sections (8 μm) were processed for immunofluorescence with mouse anti-type I collagen antibody and AlexaFluor 488 conjugated secondary antibody plus DAPI counterstaining, and analysed by confocal microscopy. The effect of riboflavin/UVA collagen cross-linking was visible on confocal fluorescence microscopy. Quantitative morphology was associated with fluorescence imaging analysis, and pixel density and brightness were evaluated. The surface of treated polyps exhibited a higher density of collagen fibres compared to control polyps, as could be observed both visually and through objective measurements of the fluorescent regions. The effect was enhanced on the surface of the de-epithelialised polyps. The higher density of collagen fibres exhibited by the de-epithelialised treated polyps demonstrates the feasibility of this technique in interfering with the remodelling process and the mechanical dysfunction found in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis.

Interventions to prevent aspiration in older adults with dysphagia living in nursing homes: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Dysphagia is highly prevalent condition in older adults living in nursing homes. There is also evidence indicating that aspiration is one of the major health risks for these older adults, which is more likely to result in respiratory infections, aspiration pneumonia and sudden bolus death. Evidence syntheses have demonstrated the effectiveness of interventions for prevention of aspiration among hospitalized older people. The aim of this scoping review is to describe the current spread of interventions to prevent or reduce aspiration in older adults with dysphagia with a specific focus on those who reside in nursing homes.

METHODS

The Joanna Briggs Institute methods and PRISMA-ScR guidelines were used to inform this review. MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Joanna Briggs Institute EBP Database and Web of Science were searched for related articles from 2010 to 2020 as well as Chinese databases (CNKI, WANFANG DATA and VIP) and databases for unpublished material. A three-step search strategy was utilized, including the use of citation software to manage search results and de-duplication, abstract review and full-text review by two reviewers. Details of included studies were then extracted using a prepared data extraction tool. The resulting map was displayed in tabular form along with a narrative summary.

RESULTS

Although 637 articles were located, 19 papers were included in the final analysis. Interventions to prevent aspiration in older adults with dysphagia living in nursing homes included: more bedside evaluation, modification of dietary, creating an appropriate environment for swallowing, providing appropriate feeding assistance, appropriate posture or maneuver for swallowing, appropriate rehabilitation program, medication treatment, and stimulation treatment.

CONCLUSION

Nursing homes, particularly those in developing countries, require more support for staff training and necessary equipment. Professional interventions provided by speech and language therapists are still limited in the setting of nursing homes. Modification of dietary was the most frequently used intervention to prevent or reduce aspiration. Multi-disciplinary interventions had the best results for aspiration management, but for many nursing homes, access to such teams is limited. Nursing home residents respond well to person-centered interventions that have a comprehensive consideration of their degree of aspiration risk, health condition, individual feelings and cognitive state.

CD133, a Progenitor Cell Marker, is Reduced in Nasal Polyposis and Showed Significant Correlations with TGF-β1 and IL-8

Introduction  Combination of chronic inflammation and an altered tissue remodeling process are involved in the development of Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP). Studies demonstrated that mesenchymal stem cells expressing the progenitor gene CD133 were involved in a significant reduction of the chronic inflammatory process in the polypoid tissue.

Objective  To evaluate the levels of CD133 (Prominin-1) in nasal polypoid tissue and its correlation with interleukin-8 (IL-8) and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1).

Methods  A total of 74 subjects were divided in the following groups: control group ( n  = 35); chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps nonpresenting comorbid asthma and aspirin intolerance (CRSwNPnonAI) group ( n  = 27); and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps presenting comorbid asthma and aspirin intolerance (CRSwNPAI) group ( n  = 12). Histologic analysis and also evaluation of the concentration of CD133, IL-8, and TGF-β1 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits were performed in nasal tissue obtained from nasal polypectomy or from middle turbinate tissue.

Results  Higher eosinophilic infiltration was found in both CRSwNP groups by histologic analysis. Lower levels of TGF-β1 and IL-8 were observed in both CRSwNP groups when compared with the control group, whereas the CD133 levels were significantly reduced only in the CRSwNPnonAI group compared with the control group.

Conclusion  It was demonstrated that the nasal mucosa presenting polyposis showed a significant reduction of CD133 levels, and also that this reduction was significantly correlated with the reduction of TGF-β1 levels, but not with IL-8 levels. Therefore, these findings may be involved in the altered inflammatory and remodeling processes observed in the nasal polyposis.

Montelukast Has no Impact on the Systemic Production of TGFβ-1 in Patients with Nasal Polyposis Associated with Aspirin Intolerance

Introduction  Nasal polyposis is a disease characterized by a mechanical dysfunction of the nasal mucosa, closely related to the unique makeup of its extracellular matrix, which develops as the result of an anomalous tissue remodeling process. Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) is reduced not only in the nasal polypoid tissue, but also in the plasma of aspirin-intolerant patients. These patients exhibit an imbalance in the production of eicosanoids characterized by an increase in leukotrienes. Thus, it is important that the relationship between the production of leukotrienes and TGF-β1 be assessed. Objective  To evaluate the effects of the cysteinyl leukotriene (CysLT) receptor antagonist montelukast on the systemic production of TGF-β1 in patients with nasal polyposis, with or without concomitant aspirin intolerance. Methods  The sample comprised 48 individuals with diagnosis of nasal polyposis and 15 healthy controls for comparison of the baseline TGF-β1 levels in the peripheral blood and after treatment with CysLT receptor antagonist montelukast in the nasal-polyposis group. Results  There was no difference in the change in TGF-β1 levels after the treatment with montelukast in the subgroup of patients with polyposis and asthma ( p  = 0.82) and in the subgroup with polyposis, asthma, and aspirin intolerance ( p  = 0.51). Conclusion  we found no impact of the therapy with a leukotriene receptor blocker on the production of TGF-β1, making the antileukotriene therapy a highly questionable choice for the treatment of nasal polyposis, particularly from the standpoint of seeking to modify the remodeling process in this disease.

Alterations in cellular force parameters and cell projections in Nasal polyps-derived fibroblasts

OBJECTIVE

Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP) is a disease that features a mechanical dysfunction involving chronic inflammation and altered tissue remodeling. In this study, we aim to evaluate the fibroblast morphology and its cellular traction force in primary fibroblasts cell cultures obtained from both healthy individuals (n=7) and patients with CRSwNP (n=8).

METHODS

Using a Traction-force Microscopy we analyzed parameters of Force/Tension in fibroblasts cultures in both experimental groups.

RESULTS

The analysis of the Projected Area of Cell revealed that fibroblasts derived from nasal mucosa of healthy individuals have an area on average 39.24% larger than the fibroblasts obtained from the nasal polyp tissue. We also observed that the parameters directly related to the force of the cell, Max Cumulative Force and Net Contractile Moment, presented a high Force/Tension per unit of area in the fibroblasts derived from the healthy nasal mucosa (on average 41% and 52.54% higher than the fibroblasts of the nasal polyp respectively).

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrate a cellular mechanism that may be associated with the mechanical dysfunction found in the Nasal Polyp tissue. The weak traction force of nasal polyp-derived fibroblast may, in lower dimensions, impact on the remodeling of nasal mucosa in CRSwNP.

Nasal Polyposis: More than a Chronic Inflammatory Disorder-A Disease of Mechanical Dysfunction-The São Paulo Position

Introduction  The importance of our study lies in the fact that we have demonstrated the occurrence of mechanical dysfunction within polypoid tissues, which promotes the development of polyps in the nasal cavity. Objective  To change the paradigm of nasal polyposis (NP). In this new conception, the chronic nasal inflammatory process that occurs in response to allergies, to pollution, to changes in the epithelial barrier, or to other factors is merely the trigger of the development of the disease in individuals with a genetic predisposition to an abnormal tissue remodeling process, which leads to a derangement of the mechanical properties of the nasal mucosa and, consequently, allows it to grow unchecked. Data Synthesis  We propose a fundamentally new approach to intervening in the pathological process of NP, addressing biomechanical properties, fluid dynamics, and the concept of surface tension. Conclusion  The incorporation of biomechanical knowledge into our understanding of NP provides a new perspective to help elucidate the physiology and the pathology of nasal polyps, and new avenues for the treatment and cure of NP.

What is the Impact of Positive Airway Pressure in Nasal Polyposis? An Experimental Study

Introduction  It has been hypothesized that increasing the interstitial hydrostatic pressure within the sinonasal mucosa of patients with nasal polyposis (NP) might decrease the size of nasal polyps.

Objective  To evaluate the effects of positive airway pressure, delivered by a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, in patients with NP and in control subjects.

Methods  Twelve patients with NP and 27 healthy subjects were exposed to CPAP (20 cm H2O) for 2 hours. Visual analog scale (VAS), Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale, acoustic rhinometry (AR), peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) and nasal endoscopy (NE—Meltzer polyp grading system) were performed before and after the intervention, for all patients.

Results  The control group showed a significant worsening in nasal obstruction symptoms, as measured by VAS and NOSE ( p  < 0.01), and a significant decrease in nasal patency, as measured by the PNIF and AR ( p  < 0.01). For the NP group, VAS, NOSE, and AR did not differ significantly ( p  = 0.72, p  = 0.73, and p  = 0.17, respectively), but PNIF values worsened ( p  = 0.04) after exposure to CPAP. There was a statistically significant reduction in the nasal polyps' size ( p  = 0.04).

Conclusions  Positive pressure worsened the nasal obstruction symptoms and decreased objective parameters of nasal patency in control subjects. In patients with NP, exposure to CPAP reduced the nasal polyps' size, and the nasal patency, as measured by PNIF. However, it had no significant effects in AR and in nasal obstruction symptoms.