[Activation of nuclear factor-kappaB and aberrant gene expression of interleukin 6 in middle ear cholesteatoma].

Objective To establish the activation of NF-KB in middle ear cholesteatoma, discuss the relationship of NF-KB and the gene expression of IL-6 and explore the pathogenesis of middle ear cholesteatoma. Methods Ten eases of cholesteatoma and 6 cases of normal external meatal skin were obtained from middle ear surgery. The NF-KB DNA binding activity and the mRNA level of IL-6 in these two kinds of tissues were detected by electropboretic motility shift assay （EMSA） and Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction（RT-PCR） respectively. The relationship of NF-KB DNA binding activity and the mRNA level of IL-6 were analyzed. Results The NF-KB DNA binding activities of cholesteatoma [ （ 15. 9 ±8. 2） % ] were higher than those in normal skin [ （ 1.36 ± 0. 94） %, t = 3. 502, P < 0. 05 ]. The expression of IL-6 mRNA was increased significantly in patients with cholesteatoma, as compared with that in the control specimens （t = 2. 166 ,P < 0. 05 ） and had a significant positive correlation with NF-KB DNA binding activity （ r = 0. 752, P < 0. 05 ）. Conclusions The IL-6 mRNA expression in eho]esteatoma is closely related with the activity of NF-KB. It is tempting to spectdate that NF-KB play a key role in the activation of cytokine in cholesteatoma. Key words: Cholesteatoma, middle ear; NF-kappa B; Interleukin-6