Involvement of Th17/Treg imbalance in bacterial biofilm induced chronic rhinosinusitis

Abstract

Objective:The aim of this study is to investigate the involvement of Th17/Treg imbalance in the pathogenesis of bacterial biofilm (BBF) induced chronic rhinosinusitis(CRS). Method:CRS nasal sinus mucosa was collected, and BBF was examined by BacLight/CSLM detection. Forty CRS cases(20 BBF positive cases and 20 negative cases) and 10 controls were enrolled. Clinical data were recorded before operation, and nasal sinus mucosa was collected during operation. The mRNA level of Forkhead box protein 3(Foxp3), retinoid-related orphan nuclear receptor γt (RORγt), and IL-17 were detected by Real-time PCR. The differences between CRS and controls, as well as BBF positive and BBF negative group were analyzed. Correlation analysis was conducted to study the relationship between gene expression. Result:The Foxp3 mRNA was decreased in the CRS group compared with the control group (P<0.05), suggesting that the function of Treg cells was weakened. there was no difference in the mRNA level of IL-17 and RORγt between the two groups (P>0.05). Compared with the BBF-negative group, the Foxp3 mRNA was decreased and the IL-17 mRNA was increased in the BBF-positive group (P<0.05), suggesting that Th17 cells function enhanced and Treg cells function decreased. The mRNA level of RORγt showed no difference (P>0.05). The mRNA level of Foxp3 and IL-17 was negatively correlated (r=-0.283,P<0.05). Conclusion:The imbalance of Th17/Treg in sinus mucosa caused by BBF may play an important role in CRS.