Molecular signalling involved in upper airway remodelling is enhanced in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea. Issue 11 (10th November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lin, C-C; Wang, Y-P; Chiu, C-H; Sun, Y-K; Lin, M-W; Tzeng, I-S
• Is Part Of: Journal of laryngology & otology. Volume 136:Issue 11(2022)
• Page Start: 1096
• Page End: 1104
• Publication Date: 2022-11-10
• Subjects: Sleep Apnea, Obstructive -- Uvula -- Airway Remodeling -- Cytokines -- Inflammation; Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; 617.51
• DOI: 10.1017/S0022215121004722
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-2151

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: This study aimed to elucidate whether molecular signalling involved in upper airway remodelling is enhanced in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea. Method: Twenty patients with mild obstructive sleep apnoea (control group) and 40 patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea (obstructive sleep apnoea group) who desired uvulopalatopharyngoplasty were recruited for the study. After uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, surgical specimens of the uvula were subjected to haematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome and immunohistochemical staining. Western blot and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction were used to evaluate the protein and messenger RNA expressions. Results: The obstructive sleep apnoea group showed more severe inflammation, increased collagen deposition and higher immunohistochemical staining intensity for TGF-ß and MMP-9 as well as higher protein and messenger RNA expression of MMP-9, VEGF, TGF-ß, p38 MAPK, SMAD 2/3, AKT and JNK in the uvula than control group. Conclusion: Patients with obstructive sleep apnoea demonstrated more severe inflammation, increased airway remodelling, and increased protein and messenger RNA expression of pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic cytokines in the uvula than control participants.