Alterations in Gene Expression of Complement Components in Chronic Rhinosinusitis

BackgroundThe complement cascade forms part of the initial innate response to pathogens in the airway. Complement activation is important in the maintenance of host homeostasis, but excessive and uncontrolled activation may lead to inflammation and disease. The role of the complement pathway in the innate response in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is poorly characterizedMethodsSinus mucosa biopsy specimens from the anterior ethmoid or uncinate process of patients with allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS), CRS without NPs (CRS–NPs), and controls were harvested and gene and protein expression of C3, factor B (fB), C5, and C7 complement proteins were analyzed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical techniques.ResultsfB, C3, and C5 gene expression were increased in both AFRS and CRS—NPs compared with controls (p < 0.05). Transcriptional activity for the terminal pathway protein C7 was not significantly increased when compared with controls, with C7 levels actually reduced in AFRS p...