Periostin: a novel biomarker for chronic rhinosinusitis

Periostin: a novel biomarker for chronic rhinosinusitis. Objectives: Rhinosinusitis is characterized by inflammation of the sinuses, resulting in particular symptoms. This study aims to investigate the feasibility of periostin as a biomarker for chronic rhinosinusitis. Methodology: The mucosal tissues of the ethmoid sinus were sampled from 12 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (CRSsNP) and 25 with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). Inferior turbinate biopsy was performed in 15 patients with a deviation of the nasal septum (DNS). Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was performed to assess the distribution of periostin. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was conducted to detect the expression of periostin mRNA in nasal tissue specimens. The serum concentration of periostin was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Correlation analysis among periostin mRNA in nasal mucosa, IHC staining score of periostin, serum concentration of periostin and proportion of blood eosinophils was performed. Results: The serum concentration of periostin and the IHC staining score of nasal mucosa from CRSsNP and CRSwNP patients were significantly higher than those in DNS counterparts (both P <0.01). The levels of periostin mRNA in CRSsNP and CRSwNP patients were slightly increased, but did not significantly differ from that in the DNS group (both P >0.05). The IHC staining score and serum concentration of periostin were correlated with the proportion of eosinophils in blood (P<0.05 and P <0.01). Conclusion: Periostin can be used as a novel biomarker for chronic rhinosinusitis, which provides a potential target for individualized therapy of chronic rhinosinusitis.