J Rhinol.  2002 Nov;9(1, 2):11-15.

Immunohistochemical Localization of Alpha-Atrial Natriuretic Polypeptide in the Human Nasal Polyp

• Yoon YJ

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Alpha-atrial natriuretic polypeptide (ANP) is a peptide which is involved in the regulation of fluid and electrolyte homeostasis. The purpose of this study is to localize ANP in the human nasal polyps by immunoperoxidase and immunofluorescence methods.
Materials and Methods
Polyps were obtained at routine polypectomy under local anesthesia, Sections were processed for immunocytochemical demonstration of ANP using the avidin -biotin -peroxidase complex (ABC) procedure and the FITC immunofluorescence technique.
RESULTS
ANP was detected in the surface epithelium of nasal polyps. These apical cells stained deeply with ANP. In the stroma, ANP was confined to acinar cells in the mucosal glands. No immunoreaction was detected in either the goblet cells or the fibroblasts.
CONCLUSION
The large number and wide spread distribution of ANP-immunoreactive cells in nasal polyps imply that ANP could be involved in their pathophysiology.

Keyword

Nasal polyp; ANP; Immunohistochemistry

MeSH Terms

Acinar Cells
Anesthesia, Local
Atrial Natriuretic Factor
Avidin
Epithelium
Fibroblasts
Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate
Fluorescent Antibody Technique
Goblet Cells
Homeostasis
Humans*
Immunohistochemistry
Nasal Polyps*
Polyps
Atrial Natriuretic Factor
Avidin
Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate