A Study of Nasal Epithelial Cell Membrane in Patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis without Nasal Polyps Using a Fluorescent Probe

Chronic rhinosinusitis is characterized by sinonasal inflammation lasting for at least three months. According to its morphological features, there are two types of rhinosinusitis: chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (CRSsNP). Despite numerous efforts at elucidating the mechanisms that underlie the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis, the generally recognized theory of its pathogenesis has not yet been elaborated. In particular, little is known about changes in the state of nasal epithelial cell membranes in patients with CRSsNP. The purpose of the research was to study the state of membrane phospholipid bilayer in nasal epithelial cells in patients with CRSsNP. We used the 2-(2-OH-phenyl)-5-phenyl-1,3-oxazole (O1O) fluorescent probe, which is an ortho-hydroxy derivative of oxazole. Its molecules are sensitive to the changes in the physicochemical properties of their microenvironment. Materials and methods. Ten patients with CRSsNP were enrolled in our research. Diagnosis was verified and they were treated at Kharkiv Regional Clinical Hospital. Ten conditionally healthy individuals with deviated nasal septum were recruited as control subjects. All manipulations with patients were performed in accordance with The Code of Ethics of the World Medical Association (Declaration of Helsinki) and Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Dignity of the Human Being with regard to the Application of Biology and Medicine (ETC 164). All representatives of both groups signed a written informed consent. Nasal tissue samples were collected from patients with CRSsNP and control subjects with the subsequent preparation of nasal epithelial cell suspension. The fluorescent probe 2-(2-OH-phenyl)-5-phenyl-1,3-oxazole (O1O) was selected to study the state of membrane phospholipid bilayer in nasal epithelial cells of patients with CRSsNP. Results and discussion. It was found out that the microenvironment of О1О probe was characterized by a higher polarity and lower viscosity in patients with CRSsNP compared with control subjects. Such changes are indicative of a higher hydration of nasal epithelial cell membranes in the regions of phospholipid glycerol heads and fatty acid chains located near carbonyl groups. Thus, our findings support that CRSsNP is accompanied by an excessive hydration of the most polar region of nasal epithelial cell membranes, namely the region of phospholipid polar heads. Conclusions. The development of CRSsNP is associated with the increased hydration of nasal epithelial cell membranes. The increase in hydration mentioned above indicates a higher fluidity of membranes in nasal epithelial cells in patients with CRSsNP.