# Aberrant expression of Bcl2L12 as a potential biomarker for predicting recurrence in nasal polyp

## TL;DR

This study shows that higher Bcl2L12 levels in nasal polyp tissue are linked to inflammation and may predict disease recurrence after surgery.

## Contribution

The study identifies Bcl2L12 as a potential biomarker for predicting recurrence in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

## Key findings

- Bcl2L12 levels were higher in recurrent CRSwNP compared to primary and control groups.
- Elevated Bcl2L12 levels correlated with eosinophilic inflammation in CRSwNP.
- Tissue Bcl2L12 levels showed strong predictive value for postoperative recurrence.

## Abstract

•CRSwNP with eosinophilic infiltration has a high rate of recurrence.•Tissue Bcl2L12 levels were increased in the CRSwNP group.•Tissue Bcl2L12 levels might predict recurrence of CRSwNP.

CRSwNP with eosinophilic infiltration has a high rate of recurrence.

Tissue Bcl2L12 levels were increased in the CRSwNP group.

Tissue Bcl2L12 levels might predict recurrence of CRSwNP.

Bcl2L12 plays an important role in the inflammatory response, but its role in chronic rhinitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is unknown. We aimed to evaluate the relationship of Bcl2L12 with eosinophilic inflammation in CRSwNP and its value in predicting postoperative recurrence.

We included 80 patients with CRSwNP treated with Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS), and 40 Health Control (HC) subjects. The expression levels of Bcl2L12 in tissues were examined by RT-PCR, Western Blotting (WB) and Immunohistochemistry (IHC). Correlation analysis was performed to explore the relationship between the expression level of Bcl2L12 and eosinophilic inflammation of the disease. Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curves were used to assess the relationship between Bcl2L12 levels and postoperative recurrence.

RT-PCR results suggested that tissue Bcl2L12 levels were higher in the relapse CRSwNP group than in the control and primary CRSwNP group. Correlation analysis showed that elevated Bcl2L12 levels were positively correlated with disease eosinophilic inflammation (p < 0.05). In addition, tissue Bcl2L12 levels were higher by WB and IHC in the CRSwNP group than in the HC group (p < 0.05), especially in the recurrent group, and were centrally expressed in the epithelial region of the mucosa. Further regression analysis showed that blood eosinophil count and percentage, tissue eosinophil count, and tissue Bcl2L12 levels were closely associated with disease recurrence after surgery. The ROC curve suggested that tissue Bcl2L12 had a higher value in predicting postoperative recurrence.

Our study shows that Bcl2L12 is increased in patients with CRSwNP, and is associated with eosinophilic inflammation. Tissue Bcl2L12 levels may be an objective marker to predict the risk of postoperative recurrence.

Level 3.