Epithelial physical barrier defects in chronic rhinosinusitis

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common upper airway disease with a prevalence of greater than 10% of the general population. Although the pathogenesis of CRS remains poorly understood, there is growing evidence indicating that epithelial physical barrier defects play an important role in CRS pathogenesis.

Areas covered: Epithelial physical barriers are maintained by various intercellular junctions, especially tight junctions (TJs). Recent studies suggest that the expression of TJ molecules and epithelial barrier function in human nasal epithelium are modulated by various internal and external factors. This review summarizes recent advances regarding the structure, function, and regulating mechanisms of the epithelial physical barrier in the context of CRS.

Expert opinion: Available data indicate that epithelial physical barrier defects in CRS can result from inhaled allergens, microbial or virus infections, cytokines, hypoxia, or zinc deficiency, among other causes. Several genes/molecules, such as SPINK5, S100A7, S100A8/9, PCDH1, NDRG1, SPRR, and p63 are involved in modulating the physical barrier function in the context of CRS. The exact mechanisms and molecular pathways that lead to these barrier defects, however, require additional study. Additional work is necessary to further explore the epithelial physical barrier function in normal and pathologic sinonasal mucosa.

KEYWORDS:

• Chronic rhinosinusitis
• epithelial cells
• nasal mucosa
• physical barrier
• tight junction

Article Highlights

• The sinonasal epithelial physical barrier defects played an important role in CRS pathogenesis.

• Epithelial physical barrier defects in CRS can result from inhaled allergens, microbial or virus infections, cytokines, hypoxia, or zinc deficiency, among other causes.

• Several genes/molecules, including SPINK5, S100A7, S100A8/9, PCDH1, NDRG1, SPRR, and p63 are involved in modulating the physical barrier function in CRS.

• Several topical treatments in the management of CRS, such as corticosteroids and nasal irrigations might influence the sinonasal epithelial physical barrier function.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by grants from the national key R&D program of China (2016YFC0905200), the Program for the Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team (IRT13082), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81420108009 and 81630023), Beijing Municipal Administration of Hospitals’ Mission Plan (SML20150203), Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health (Beijing Technology and Business University, 20181045), Natural Science Foundation of Beijing (7172053 and 7172054), Beijing Health Bureau Program for High Level Talents (2014-3-018) and Cross-disciplinary Collaborative Program of Beijing Nova program (xxjc201712).