Detection of beta-defensins and NOS in healthy and pathological nasal mucosa.

Endogenously produced anti-microbial peptides beta-defensins and nitric oxide (NO) are important components of the immune response. When this response is disturbed it can have damaging consequences. Nasal polyposis, a common disorder, is an example of such immune dysregulation. In order to establish the possible role of human beta defensin-2 (hBD-2), human beta defensin-3 (hBD-3) and NO in the etiopathogenesis of nasal polyposis, the immunohistochemical detection of hBD-2, hBD-3 and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was performed in healthy and pathological human nasal mucosa. Another aim of this study was to find out whether there is a correlation between the level and localization of these antibacterial agents and the occurrence of cell proliferation and programmed cell death. The apoptotic marker cleaved caspase–3 and proliferative marker Ki67 were used for the immunohistochemical detection of these processes. METHODS