Increased expression of periostin (POSTN) and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) in chronic rhinosinusitis with polyps (CRSwNP)

Introduction POSTN and TSLP are increasingly secreted after activation of the nasal epithelium by allergens or toxins. TSLP can exist in two isoforms – short-form (sfTSLP) and long-form (lfTSLP). The aim of this study is to investigate the expression pattern of POSTN and TSLP in terms of type II inflammation of CRSwNP.

Methods Intraoperatively collected tissue samples and blood sera from 42 patients (n=42; CRSwNP=27; control=15), including 27 patients with CRSwNP and 15 patients without symptoms of sinusitis, were analyzed to detect POSTN and TSLP by qRT-PCR (ThermoFisher, Assay ID: Hs00263639_m1. sfTSLP and lfTSLP) and ELISA (Human TSLP DuoSet; lfTSLP). Stimulation experiments (IL-4 100ng/ml, IL-13 100ng/ml, S. aureus, Newman, cell supernatants) were performed using 6 primary nasal human epithelial cell cultures (n=6). After 24h stimulation, gene and protein expression analysis of POSTN and TSLP was performed by ELISA and qRT-PCR. Analysis was performed using SPSS Statistics 28.

Results POSTN was shown to be significantly increased in serum (n=42, p<0.01), as well as in tissue (n=42, p<0.01) in the CRSwNP group. PCR analysis revealed increased expression of POSTN (n=27; p=0.071) and TSLP (n=27; p=0.051) in CRSwNP. IL-4 and IL-13 stimulation resulted in significantly increased POSTN levels (IL-4: p<0.001; IL-13: p=0.02) and POSTN (IL-4: p<0.001; IL-13: p=0.02) and TSLP expression levels (IL-4: <0.001; IL-13: p=0.001). Increased expression of TSLP was additionally seen under S. aureus stimulation (p<0.001).

Discussion The increased expression of POSTN in tissue and serum in CRSwNP confirms the literature. TSLP and POSTN are regulated by type II cytokines among others and may serve as biomarkers in the future.

Publication History

Article published online:
12 May 2023