# Up-regulation of systemic and local BDNF in non-allergic Nasal Polyps in China

## TL;DR

This study finds that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is elevated in non-allergic nasal polyps and may play a role in their development.

## Contribution

The study is the first to evaluate BDNF's role in non-allergic nasal polyps, revealing its potential as a therapeutic target.

## Key findings

- BDNF levels are higher in both serum and tissue of non-allergic nasal polyp patients.
- BDNF is associated with increased eosinophil infiltration and cytokeratin 5 expression in nasal polyps.
- Higher BDNF levels correlate with worse airway obstruction in non-allergic nasal polyps.

## Abstract

Although the role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in allergic rhinitis and/or nasal polyps (NPs) development has been studied, the contribution of BDNF in non-allergic NPs has not been evaluated yet. This study was to investigate the possible role of BDNF in non-allergic NPs pathogenesis.

The study was carried out at The Second Hospital of Shandong University from December 2020 to November 2021. The non-allergic NPs patients (n=26) and the control group (n=22) were included. Lund-Mackay CT scores, nasal endoscopy scores, and pulmonary function testing were evaluated before surgery. Tissue and serum levels of BDNF, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), and cytokeratins 5 (CK5) were assessed between different groups.

The BDNF level in serum and tissue, CK5 count, and eosinophil infiltration in tissue were higher in non-allergic NPs. The eosinophils infiltration, ECP mRNA expression level, as well as BDNF mRNA level were increased in the BDNFhigh subgroup compared with BDNFlow subgroup. Significantly negative correlations between BDNF count and the situation of airway obstruction were found in non-allergic NPs.

BDNF may have both local and systemic effects in non-allergic NPs pathogenesis. BDNF may be a possible therapeutic target or an indicator for eosinophilic NPs management.