Establishment of organ culture as an investigation tool for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

Background Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps is commonly caused by a complex Th-2 cell-based inflammatory response in Western countries. However, the exact pathomechanism is still largely unknown. In order to enable further sufficient investigations and new insights, it is necessary to develop an investigation tool that can reflect this complexity. Research question In the present study, the potential of organ culture with tissue from nasal polyps as an investigation tool was evaluated.

Methods Polyp tissue (n = 3) was sectioned immediately after collection from endonasal endoscopic sinus surgery and placed on a stand in a 6-well plate so that the cut sides were in contact with the media and the intact epithelial side was exposed to air. After 6 days, the tissue was examined histologically (with hematoxlyin/eosin) and immunohistochemically (with anti-cytokeratin, anti-p63, anti-tryptase, and anti-CD3). In addition, TSLP and GM-CSF (by ELISA) and IgE (by nephelometry) were examined in the medium.

Results Histological examination with hematoxlyin showed vital morphology. Cell type markers for epithelial cells (cytokeratin/p63), mast cells (tryptase), lymphocytes (CD3) and eosinophils (eosin) were positive in the tissue. TSLP, GM-CSF and IgE could be detected in the medium.

Conclusion Organ culture was successfully established in the present study. Organ culture represents the biological complexity of nasal polyps ex vivo and shows potential as a suitable investigation tool for further studies.

Publication History

Article published online:
12 May 2023