Upregulation of inflammatory genes in the nasal mucosa of patients undergoing endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy

Abstract

Background

Epiphora is a common complaint of nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) in adults. The precise pathogenesis of NLDO is still unknown, but inflammatory processes are believed to be predisposing factors. Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (EN-DCR) is an effective surgical technique for treating symptomatic NLDO. The purpose of the procedure is to relieve the patient’s symptoms by creating an opening, ie, a rhinostoma, between the lacrimal sac and the nasal cavity. Although the success rates after EN-DCR are high, the procedure sometimes fails due to onset of a fibrotic process at the rhinostomy site. The aim of this prospective comparative study was to investigate inflammation-related gene expression in the nasal mucosa at the rhinostomy site.

Methods

Ten participants were consecutively recruited from eligible adult patients who underwent primary powered EN-DCR (five patients) or septoplasty (five controls). Nasal mucosa specimens were taken from the rhinostomy site at the beginning of surgery for analysis of gene expression. Specimens were taken from the same site on the lateral nasal wall for controls. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed for the inflammatory genes interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and CCL2, and because of a clear trend of increased inflammation in the EN-DCR samples, a wider PCR array was performed to compare inflammation-related gene expression in EN-DCR subjects and corresponding controls.

Results

Our qRT-PCR results revealed a clear trend of increased transcription of IL-6, IL-1β, and CCL2 (P=0.03). The same trend was also evident in the PCR array, which additionally revealed notable differences between EN-DCR subjects and controls with regard to expression of several other inflammation-related mediators. At 6-month follow-up, the success rate after primary EN-DCR was 60%, ie, in three of five patients.

Conclusion

The present study demonstrates that there is an intense inflammation gene expression response in the nasal mucosa of patients undergoing EN-DCR.

Keywords:

• epiphora
• fibrosis
• dacryocystorhinostomy
• gene expression
• inflammation
• nasolacrimal duct obstruction

Introduction

Epiphora, ie, tearing of the eye, is a common complaint, particularly in the elderly, the extent of which can vary from minor inconvenience to significant social embarrassment. The common cause of epiphora and discharge from the eye in adults is nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO). The pathogenesis of NLDO is unknown, but the process is characterized by gradual inflammation and subsequent fibrosis of the nasolacrimal duct, which may lead to obstruction of the lacrimal pathway.^1,2 Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (EN-DCR) is an effective and safe surgical technique for treating symptomatic lower lacrimal pathway obstruction and dacryocystitis in cases where there is no response to conservative treatment. The purpose of the procedure is to create a bypass, ie, a rhinostoma, between the lacrimal sac and the nasal cavity. The success of primary EN-DCR has been reported to be high, varying between 74% and 94%.³ However, the procedure sometimes fails, and the most common reason for this is scarring of the rhinostoma.^4,5 The granulation tissue and scar formation is thought to be linked to the biology of wound healing in the nasal mucosa (Figure 1).⁶ There have been several histopathological studies reporting chronic inflammation and fibrosis in specimens taken from the nasal mucosa during dacryocystorhinostomy,^7–9 and various histopathological features related to chronic inflammation may also play a role in the outcome of EN-DCR.^9,10 However, inflammatory signaling molecules in the nasal mucosa of patients with NLDO have been poorly investigated. Smirnov et al demonstrated that high expression of heat shock protein 47, a regulator of fibrosis, might predict a poor surgical result after EN-DCR.¹¹ Further, these biological factors are important when investigating potential targets for development of antifibrotic therapy. This is of importance, given that there are no effective antifibrotic drugs available to target fibrogenic factors or to block their receptors.¹² The aim of this prospective comparative study was to investigate the inflammatory gene expression profile at the rhinostomy site in patients undergoing EN-DCR.

Figure 1 Excessive granulation formation over the hinostomy site.

Abbreviations: G, granulation; LNW, lateral nasal wall; MT, middle turbinate; S, septum.

Patients and methods

Patients

Five study subjects were consecutively recruited from adult patients who underwent primary EN-DCR due to epiphora or recurrent infection of the lacrimal sac between May and August 2012. Five control subjects were also recruited from eligible patients who underwent septoplasty during the same time period. Patients undergoing septoplasty were selected as controls because their indication for surgery was a septal deformity not associated with any inflammatory or infectious process. All the operations were performed in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at Kuopio University Hospital, in Kuopio, Finland. Patients were eligible for enrollment if they were adults (age >18 years) and if their American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status score was I–III.¹³ Exclusion criteria were presacral obstruction, malignancy in the paranasal sinuses, nasal cavity, or lacrimal pathway, mental disability, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Patients who underwent septoplasty were not eligible for participation as controls when there was a risk of postoperative adhesions due to the presence of a narrow nasal cavity or where there was a history of recurrent or chronic paranasal infections. The patient demographics are shown in Table 1. There were no dropouts during the 6-month follow-up period. This study was approved by the research ethics committee at the District Hospital of Northern Savo, Kuopio, Finland. The patients were given oral and written information about the trial protocol, and all provided their written consent.

Table 1 Baseline demographics of the study population, with data shown as the mean (standard deviation) or number of cases

	Patients (n=5)	Controls (n=7)
Sex
Male		5
Female	5	2
Age	79 (4)	37 (4)
Indication of surgery
Dacryostenosis	1
Dacryocystitis	4
History of chronic rhinosinusitis
Smoking		2
Asthma	1
Allergic rhinitis		2
Nasal polyposis	1

Assessments

At the preoperative visit and 1-week, 2-month, and 6-month postoperative visits, an objective assessment was performed by an otorhinolaryngologist who performed lacrimal irrigation and nasal endoscopy, and the findings in the nasal cavity were evaluated using the Lund–MacKay staging system.¹⁴ A subjective assessment was performed using the Nasolacrimal Duct Symptom Score questionnaire.¹⁵ The surgical outcome was considered successful if saline solution freely reached the nose during lacrimal irrigation and if there was relief of symptoms.

Operative technique

Standardized general anesthesia was used. Nasal mucosa specimens were taken from over the rhinostomy site at the onset of the surgery for analysis of gene expression. The control specimens were taken from the lateral nasal wall at exactly the same site. The standardized, detailed endoscopic powered instrumentation technique used and the postoperative care have been described elsewhere.¹⁶ No stents were used.

Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) for inflammatory cytokine genes

Human tissue samples reserved for RNA extraction from five patients undergoing EN-DCR surgery and five control patients were placed immediately into liquid nitrogen and thereafter stored at −70°C. RNA was extracted from tissue samples using an RNeasy^® mini kit (74104; Qiagen, Valencia, CA, USA), according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

First, the tissue pieces were ground mechanically using a glass pestle homogenizer, including the kit buffer, and chilling the homogenizer on ice. The procedure also included a separate RNase-free DNase I treatment (79254; Qiagen) in the extraction column, as described in the kit protocol. Quantity and quality control of the extracted RNA was performed by spectrophotometric analysis.

Next, 500 ng of extracted RNA was reverse-transcribed to generate the corresponding DNA using a SuperScript^® III first strand synthesis system (Life Technologies, Carlsbad, CA, USA). In brief, the protocol was as follows: 500 ng of purified RNA in 11 μL of RNase-free water was incubated with 50 ng random hexamers and 10 nmol dNTPs (deoxynucleotide triphosphates) for 5 minutes at 65°C; 100 nM DTT (dithiothreitol), 40 U RNAse OUT^® (Life Technologies), and 200 U SuperScript^® III reverse transcriptase were then added to the reaction, along with the appropriate amount of 5× First Strand Reaction Buffer. The complete reaction was subsequently incubated at 50°C for 50 minutes, after which the enzymes were inactivated at 70°C for 15 minutes. The generated complementary DNA (cDNA) samples were used immediately for analysis by qRT-PCR. SYBR^® Green Real-Time PCR Master Mix (Life Technologies) and specific primer pairs for human interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2), and β-actin were used to determine the relative messenger (m) RNA expression in the samples. For IL-6, the primer pairs were forward, 5′-AGT GAG GAA CAA GCC AGA GC-3′ and reverse, 5′-CAG GGG TGG TTA TTG CAT CT-3′; for IL-1β, the primer pairs were forward, 5′-AAA AGC TTG GTG ATG TCT GG-3′ and reverse, 5′-TTT CAA CAC GCA GGA CAG G-3′; for CCL2, the primers were forward, 5′-CTC ATA GCA GCC ACC TTC ATT C-3′ and reverse, 5′-TCA CAG CTT CTT TGG GAC ACT T-3′; and for β-actin, the primers were forward, 5′-GGA TGC AGA AGG AGA TCA CTG-3′ and reverse, 5′-CGA TCC ACA CGG AGT ACT TG-3′. The primers were sourced from Oligomer Oy, Helsinki, Finland. The qRT-PCR reaction was run on an ABI Prism^® 7500 Thermocycler (Life Technologies) using standard conditions. The data were analyzed using the ΔΔCt method¹⁷ and normalized using human β-actin expression as an internal control.

PCR array study for inflammatory response gene expression

cDNA for the array analysis was prepared using an RT² PreAMP cDNA synthesis kit (330451; Qiagen) following the manufacturer’s instructions. For both septoplasty and EN-DCR, five individually extracted RNAs were mixed in equal amounts (1 μg total, 200 ng of each) to provide templates for separate cDNA syntheses. A 96-well RT² Profiler™ PCR Array for Human Inflammatory Response and Autoimmunity (PAHS-077Z; SABiosciences/Qiagen) was used for the inflammation gene expression analysis, including the wells for control reactions. The SYBR^® Green (Life Technologies) fluorescence detection methodology was employed. Thus, two one-plate runs were performed, ie, one for the septoplasty controls and the other for the EN-DCR samples. An Applied Biosystems 7500 Real-Time PCR System (Life Technologies) was used for PCR array amplification. All the quality control requirements stipulated by the manufacturer of the array were fulfilled in both PCR runs (including genomic DNA control, cDNA synthesis control, and positive PCR controls). The data were analyzed using the ΔΔCt method¹⁷ and normalized using human glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase expression as an internal control.

Results

The overall success rate after primary EN-DCR was 60% (3/5 patients) at the 6-month follow-up. On nasal endoscopy, the two failed patients showed tight fibrous scarring over the rhinostomy site, and one also had severe synechiae. Otherwise, there were no abnormal endoscopic findings according to the Lund–MacKay staging system.¹⁴ No other intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred during the study period.

Inflammation-related gene expression profiling using PCR

qRT-PCR showed that gene expression for all inflammatory markers analyzed, ie, IL-6 (P=0.08), IL-1β (P=0.6), and CCL2 (P=0.03), was increased in the EN-DCR samples, but statistical significance was achieved only for CCL2 (Figure 2). Due to a clear trend of increased inflammation in the EN-DCR samples, we performed a wider PCR array for inflammatory markers. Interestingly, there were notable differences between the groups with regard to inflammatory mediators (Table 2). The most significant findings in the EN-DCR samples when compared with controls were increased gene expression of the following: E-selectin (6.33-fold), IL-6 (5.23-fold), CCL16 (5.02-fold), tumor necrosis factor (TNF, 4.51-fold), CCL2 (3.77-fold), and CXCL3 (3.0-fold). On the other hand, notably decreased gene expression in EN-DCR samples over the controls was seen for: nitric oxide synthase 2 (0.17-fold), IL-8 (0.28-fold), CXCL1 (0.29-fold), IL-1 receptor antagonist (0.31-fold), CCR3 (0.32-fold), and FASLG (Fas ligand TNF superfamily member 6) (0.35-fold).

Figure 2 Expression of IL-6, IL-1β, and CCL2 mRNA in tissue samples of subjects undergoing either septoplasty (control) or EN-DCR surgery.

Notes: The analysis was performed with qRT-PCR. Results are shown as mean ± SEM of five individual samples, and four parallel measurements were performed from each sample. *P<0.05, ns = not significant, Mann–Whitney U-test.
Abbreviations: IL, interleukin; mRNA, messenger RNA; EN-DCR, endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy; qRT-PCR, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction; SEM, standard error of the mean; CCL2, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2.

Table 2 Differences in expression of immune response-related genes analyzed by qRT-PCR array

A	Genes with markedly increased expression	≥1.5x
Gene	Gene name	Increase x-fold
SELE	E-Selectin	6.33
IL-6	Interleukin-6	5.23
CCL16	Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 16	5.02
TNF	Tumor necrosis factor	4.51
CCL2	Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2	3.77
CXCL3	Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 3	3.00
CCL13	Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 13	2.98
CCL3	Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 3	2.94
CXCL5	Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 5	2.68
CCL4	Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 4	2.58
FOS	FBJ murine osteosarcoma viral oncogene homolog	2.33
LTA	Lymphotoxin A	2.11
CCL19	Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 19	1.99
IL-1β	Interleukin-1β	1.99
CCL24	Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 24	1.92
CCL22	Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 22	1.90
IFN-γ	Interferon gamma	1.87
IL-23A	Interleukin-23, subunit alpha, p19	1.81
CXCL2	Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 2	1.70
TLR4	Toll-like receptor 4	1.66
TLR2	Toll-like receptor 2	1.64
IL-15	Interleukin-15	1.61
LY96	Lymphocyte antigen 96	1.55
B	Genes with moderate changes in expression	0.76–1.49x
Gene	Gene name	Change x-fold
CCL7	Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 7	1.41
RIPK2	Receptor-interacting Ser-Thr kinase 2	1.40
CXCL2	Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 2	1.31
CD14	Cluster of differentiation 14	1.22
CCL23	Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 23	1.20
CXCL9	Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 9	1.20
TLR1	Toll-like receptor 1	1.12
CD40LG	Cluster of differentiation 40 ligand	1.11
MYD88	Myeloid differentiation primary response gene (88)	1.07
CCL21	Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 21	1.07
TLR7	Toll-like receptor 7	1.00
IL10RB	Interleukin-10 receptor B	1.00
TIRAP	Toll-interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) domain containing protein	1.00
CSF1	Colony-stimulating factor 1	0.99
CCL11	Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 11	0.99
TLR3	Toll-like receptor 3	0.98
NF-κB	Nuclear factor kappa B	0.96
CXCL10	Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 10	0.92
CCL17	Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 17	0.91
LTB	Lymphotoxin B	0.90
TOLLIP	Toll interacting protein	0.89
IL1R1	Interleukin-1 receptor, type 1	0.89
CCL5	Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5	0.86
TLR6	Toll-like receptor 6	0.86
IL1A	Interleukin-1A	0.83
BCL6,	B-cell/CCL, lymphoma 6	0.82
CEBPB	CCAAT/enhancer binding protein, B	0.76
NR3C1	Nuclear receptor superfamily 3, group C, member 1	0.76
C	Genes with markedly decreased expression	≤0.75x
Gene	Gene name	Decrease x-fold
NOS2	Nitric oxide synthase 2, inducible	0.17
IL-8	Interleukin-8	0.28
CXCL1	Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1	0.29
IL-1RN	Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist	0.31
CCR3	Chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 3	0.32
FASLG	Fas ligand (TNF superfamily, member 6)	0.35
CXCL6	Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 6	0.52
CCR2	Chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 2	0.53
C3	Complement component 3	0.55
IL-22	Interleukin-22	0.57
C3AR1	Complement component 3a receptor 1	0.58
PTGS2	Prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2	0.58
IL-18	Interleukin-18	0.59
CD40	Cluster of differentiation 40	0.60
IL-6R	Interleukin-6 receptor	0.60
IL-1RAP	Interleukin-1 receptor accessory protein	0.63
CCR4	Chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 4	0.65
IL-9	Interleukin-9	0.66
ITGB2	Integrin B2	0.69
CXCR4	Chemokine (C-X-C), receptor 4	0.70
TLR5	Toll-like receptor 5	0.74
CCR7	Chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 7	0.75

Notes: The linear difference of expression, or fold change, is compared between the control sample and the endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy sample. (A) Markedly increased expression (≥1.5-fold). (B) Moderate changes in expression (0.76–1.49-fold). (C) Markedly decreased expression (≤0.75-fold).

Abbreviation: qRT-PCR, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

Discussion

Our qRT-PCR results showed a clear trend toward increased transcription of IL-6, IL-1β, and CCL2. This finding was evident also from the PCR array, which additionally revealed notable differences in expression of several other inflammation-related mediators. There was a clearly increased expression of E-selectin mRNA, indicating an endothelial cell response in samples isolated from patients undergoing EN-DCR. By relatively weak carbohydrate interactions, E-selectin stimulates blood leukocytes to slow down and roll along the endothelium before their transmigration through the endothelium into the tissue.^18,19 The endothelium can become activated by bacterial lipopolysaccharide, but in the case of NLDO, the activation is more probably mediated by proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1 and TNF-α. IL-1β and TNF-α together with a third acute phase protein, IL-6, are pleiotropic cytokines exerting a variety of effects on cellular function. In addition to contributing to acute and chronic inflammation, they have all been associated with the process of fibrosis.^20,21 The continuing presence of inflammation and subsequent fibrosis, in turn, are considered to be the ultimate reason for NLDO.^1,22

In acute inflammation, neutrophils are the primary leukocytes attracted to the inflammatory site.²² In response to chemokines such as IL-8, neutrophils express their IL-6 receptors which activate endothelial cells to decrease their IL-8 production and to favor production of CCL2, which attracts monocytes in particular.²⁰ The decreased expression of IL-8 mRNA and increased expression of CCL2 in our NLDO samples suggest that the inflammation has passed through its initiation phase. The increased gene expression of CCL16, CXCL3, CCL13, and CCL3 in NLDO samples compared with those in controls also supports the transition toward a mononuclear cell type-dominated response.^23–26 Our present results are in line with previous findings that inflammation is involved in the pathogenesis of NLDO.^1,2

Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) is a major transcription factor regulating the expression of many inflammation-related genes.²⁷ In addition to the induction of E-selectin,¹⁹ NF-κB plays an important role in the expression of other genes, such as CCL2, CCL3, IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α, which were also strongly increased in samples from NLDO patients as compared with those from controls. In order to avoid overwhelming inflammation, NF-κB is kept under strict autoregulation.¹⁹ The dynamic regulation probably results in no visible increase in expression of mRNA for NF-κB in EN-DCR patients.

In the present study, our success rate for primary EN-DCR was 60%, which is lower than our previously reported rate of 93%.¹⁵ This difference may be explained by the small patient population recruited for this study. Although symptomatic relief was achieved in our two failed patients, our strict criteria categorized these patients as failures because irrigation was unsuccessful. The lack of studies examining the inflammation restricts our understanding of the underlying mechanisms causing NLDO. Therefore, we propose that the present study provides new important information. The profile of investigated markers suggests that inflammation has passed from its initiation state, which is in accordance with the previous findings that long-lasting inflammation is present in NLDO. Since the main reason for failure of EN-DCR is scarring over the rhinostomy site,^4,5 an antifibrotic drug able to target fibrogenic factors or block their receptors could be beneficial. Therefore, a potential target for therapy to control the progression of fibrosis is currently being sought.¹¹ These potential inflammatory factors are promising candidates for future studies because they can be viewed as potential targets in the development of antifibrotic therapy intended for prevention of excessive scar formation.

Conclusion

The present study shows that expression of various inflammatory response-related genes is upregulated in the nasal mucosa of patients undergoing EN-DCR, but larger study populations are required to understand the details of these inflammatory responses.

Author contributions

Author contributions were as follows: EP, study planning, operations and clinical examination, manuscript writing; JMTH, analysis and interpretation of data, manuscript writing; MH, qRT-PCR measurements; AK, interpretation of data, manuscript writing; GS, study planning, manuscript writing; HT, study planning, manuscript writing; JS, study planning, manuscript writing; JN, manuscript writing; and KK, study planning, manuscript writing, and economic support. All authors contributed toward data analysis, drafting and revising the paper and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by special government grant to the Kuopio University Hospital, the Finnish Cultural Foundation and its North Savo Fund, the Finnish Eye Foundation, the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation, the Health Research Council of the Academy of Finland, and the Päivikki and Sakari Sohlberg Foundation. The study sponsors had no role in the study design, data collection, analysis and interpretation, or writing of the report.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.