Expression of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α, Interleukin-1α, Interleukin-6 and Interleukin-10 in Chronic Otitis Media with Bone Osteolysis

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the expression of proinflammatory and immunoregulatory cytokines in chronic otitis media. The expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1α, IL-6 and IL-10 were determined by Western blot analysis of tissue samples obtained during ear surgery. The expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1α and IL-6 in cholesteatoma tissues were substantially higher compared to those determined in the granulation tissue. The highest levels of TNF-α, IL-1 and IL-6 proteins were observed in patients with bone destruction. There were no significant differences in the expression of IL-10 levels in cholesteatoma and normal skin, but in the granulation tissue its level was substantially higher. The level of IL-10 in cholesteatoma tissues inversely correlated with the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, the degree of bone destruction and cholesteatoma invasion. Increased expressions of TNF-α, IL-1α and IL-6 in chronic otitis media and a strong positive correlation between these cytokine levels and the degree of bone destruction indicate the destructive behavior of cholesteatoma or granulation tissue.