Czynnik wzrostu komórek rogowaciejących i jego receptor w perlaku ucha środkowego

Abstract Aim Etiology of middle ear cholesteatoma is far from beeing elicidated. Current concepts postulate that cholesteatoma is the result of disturbed wound healing process. Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) plays important role in wound healing, so it seemed interesting to assess the expression of KGF and its receptor in the cholesteatoma. Material and methods 25 cholesteatoma and 7 retraction pockets specimens were obtained from the patients during middle ear surgery. The expression of KGF and FGFR2 was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining using polyclonal antibodies. The results were analyzed depending on clinical features such as: localization, number of anatomic sites involved and presence of purulent discharge. Results KGF expression was detected in the cells of subepithelial tissue. It was observed in 4/7 (57%) of the specimens of retraction pockets and 11/25 (44%) of cholesteatoma specimens. FGFR2 expression was observed mainly in the cells of spinous layer of epithelium in 4/7 (57%) specimens of retraction pockets and 19/25 (76%) of specimens of cholesteatoma. Statistically significant (p = 0.011) relationship between the presence of KGF expression in the subepithelial tissue and the presence of FGFR2 expression in the epithelium was found. There were no differences in the expression of KGF and FGFR2 between retraction pocket and cholesteatoma specimens. Also, no differences in the expression, depending on localization, extend of the cholesteatoma and presence of purulent discharge were observed. Conclusion KGF and its receptor seem to play an important role in paracrine regulation of cholesteatoma growth.