Role of epithelium derived cytokines in immunopathogenesis of reinke' s edema

Reinke 's edema is a benign disorder of vocal cords. The etiologic relation with cigarette smokine is well estabhished; however the molecular pathways taking part in the disease process are not yet identified. Our objective was to determine if epitelium derived cytokines (TSLP, IL25 ve IL33) bridging the epitelium to immune response play a role in immunopathogenesis of Reinke' s edema. 2 patients with Reinke' s edema who are active smokers and 14 non smoker control patients (with other benign lesions of the vocal cords) are included in the study. Biopsies taken during microlayrngosurgery are analyzed. TSLP is studied with immunoshistochemisty. Also expression levels of TSLP, IL25, IL33, IL4, IL5, IL6, IL13, TNF-alfa, CCL17, CCL22, IL10, IFNγ ve TGF-beta genes are determined by RT-PCR. Epithelial immunoshistochemical staining intensity did not between Reinke' s edema and control group. Optical density measurements showed that stromal staining of TSLP was more intense in Reinke's edema compared to controls (p=0.004). TSLP expression level in Reinke's edema was 27.4 times higher compared to controls but this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.300). IL25 and IL33 expression levels were higher in controls compared to Reinks' s edema, 2.08 (p=0.449) and 7 p=0.179) times respectively. In conclusion our findings suggest that TSLP may play a role in immunopathogenesis however the process differs from Th2 mediated inflammation.