Expression and Significance of P-EGFR, P-ERK and NF-κB in Middle Ear Cholesteatoma Epithelium

WANG Xiali; XIE Shumin; WANG Yuehui; LIU Wei; YIN Tuanfang; PENG Anquan; REN Jihao

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1672-2922.2017.03.013

Abstract：Objective To study the expression of P-EGFR, P-ERK and NF-κB in middle ear cholesteatoma epitheli-um, and explore the potential roles of EGFR/ERK/NF-κB signaling transduction pathway in middle ear cholesteatoma epithelial hyperplasia. Methods SP immunohistochemical assay and Western blot were used to detect the expression and significance of P-EGFR, P-ERK and NF-κB in 30 cases of middle ear cholesteatoma tissue samples and 15 cases of nor-mal ear skin specimens. Results (1) Immunohistochemistry showed P-EGFR was expressed in the cytoplasm and/or membrane of epithelial cells. P-EGFR was positive in 19 of the 30 middle ear cholesteatoma specimens (63%), compared to 3 of the 15 specimens (20%) in the control group (P<0.05). P-ERK expression in cholesteatoma was detected at a high-er rate (21/30, 70%) than normal external ear canal skin (3/15, 20%)(P<0.05). NF-κB immunoreactivity was detected in the nuclei of epithelial cells at a higher rate in cholesteatoma (18/30, 60%) than the control group (2/15, 13.3%) (P<0.05). In middle ear cholesteatoma epithelium, there was a positive correlation between expression of P-EGFR, P-ERK and NF-κB (P<0.05). (2) Western blot discovered that the expression of P-EGFR, P-ERK and NF-κB in cholesteatoma was significantly more than the amount of expression in skin. Conclusions The expression of P-EGFR, P-ERK and NF-κB in middle ear cholesteatoma was significantly higher than normal skin. Activation of EGFR/ERK/NF-κB signaling transduc-tion pathway may be involved in the information and development of middle ear cholesteatoma.