Activated mammalian target of rapamycin is associated with T regulatory cell insufficiency in nasal polyps
2009

mTOR Pathway and T Regulatory Cells in Nasal Polyps

Sample size: 28 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Xu Geng, Xia Jiahong, Hua Xiaoyang, Zhou Han, Yu Chuanzhao, Liu Zheng, Cai Kemin, Shi Jianbo, Li Huabin

Primary Institution: Allergy and Cancer Center, Otorhinolaryngology Hospital of the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China

Hypothesis

A hyper-activated mTOR signaling pathway contributes to Foxp3+ Treg insufficiency in nasal polyps.

Conclusion

The mTOR signaling pathway is associated with Foxp3+ Treg insufficiency in nasal polyps, and inhibiting this pathway may enhance Treg expansion.

Supporting Evidence

  • Increased infiltration of pmTOR+ inflammatory cells was observed in nasal polyps.
  • Foxp3+CD4+ Tregs were significantly decreased in nasal polyps compared to controls.
  • Blocking the mTOR pathway with rapamycin increased Foxp3 expression and Treg expansion.

Takeaway

This study found that a certain pathway in our cells, called mTOR, is linked to a lack of special immune cells in people with nasal polyps, and blocking this pathway might help those cells grow better.

Methodology

The study analyzed tissue expression of pmTOR and Foxp3+ Tregs in nasal polyps and controls using histological staining and evaluated the effects of rapamycin on T cell phenotype in a tissue culture system.

Limitations

The study used a tissue culture system, which may not fully replicate in vivo conditions, and lacked ideal models for nasal polyps.

Participant Demographics

{"CRSwNP":{"number":28,"sex_ratio":"16:12","age":"37.7 ± 9.5 (22~56)"},"control":{"number":16,"sex_ratio":"8:8","age":"34.7 ± 11.2 (25~47)"}}

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1465-9921-10-13

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