Expressions of MMP2, MMP9, and TIMP-1 in the inflammatory cells of nasal polyps: granulocytes, monocytes, and mast cells

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the role of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 in nasal polyp (NP) pathogenesis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In group 1 (n = 24), polyp specimens were obtained from maxillary sinus, ethmoid sinus, and nasal cavity. In group 2 without NP (control) (n = 11), inferior turbinate samples were taken. Inflammatory cell count and MMP2, MMP9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 ( TIMP-1), positivity indexes (PIs) were evaluated. RESULTS: Granulocyte and mast cell-MMP2 and MMP9-PI were higher than the rate of monocyte-MMP2-PI and monocyte-MMP9-PI, respectively, in the ethmoid sinus, maxillary sinus, and nasal cavity. Mast Cell-TIMP1-PI was higher than the rates of granulocyte-TIMP1-PI and monocyte-TIMP1-PI in the maxillary sinus and was higher than the rate of monocyte-TIMP1-PI in the ethmoid sinus. CONCLUSIONS: Excessive MMP2 and MMP9, compared to TIMP1, are present in granulocytes and mast cells, respectively. With matrix MMPs, the extracellular matrix is destroyed, leading inflammatory cells to pass through, causing polypoid degeneration.