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Increased Expression of Estrogen Receptor Beta in Idiopathic Progressive Subglottic Stenosis
Author(s) -
Damrose Edward J.,
Campbell Ross David,
Darwish Sonja,
EricksonDiRenzo Elizabeth
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1002/lary.28364
Subject(s) - subglottis , medicine , estrogen receptor , estrogen , subglottic stenosis , pathology , estrogen receptor beta , immunohistochemistry , receptor , stenosis , anatomy , larynx , glottis , cancer , breast cancer
Background/Objectives Idiopathic progressive subglottic stenosis (IPSS) predominantly affects females in perimenopause. It has, therefore, been hypothesized that estrogen is involved in its pathogenesis. There are two main types of estrogen receptors: ER‐α and ER‐β. Abnormal variants of ER‐β have previously been shown to be associated with poor wound healing. Estrogen receptors have recently been identified in subglottic tissue samples, with elevated levels of ER‐α and progesterone receptors, and no expression of ER‐β, in stenotic specimens reported in one study. The objective of this study was to confirm the presence of estrogen receptors in the subglottis and investigate levels of expression and types of estrogen receptors in normal and stenotic subglottic tissue. Methods Subglottic tissue was obtained from three female and one male cadaver without laryngotracheal pathology to serve as controls. Subglottic tissue specimens from five female patients with IPSS were also analysed. Immunofluorescence stains for ER‐α and ER‐β were performed on specimens. Staining patterns were compared qualitatively and semi‐qualitatively between control and IPSS specimens. Results Immunofluorescence stains demonstrated the presence of both ER‐α and ER‐β in subglottic tissue. IPSS specimens demonstrated significantly greater staining intensity of ER‐α in the epithelium and ER‐β in glands and ducts compared to controls. Conclusions This study confirms the presence of estrogen receptors in the subglottis. Increased expression of ER‐α in the epithelium and ER‐β in glands and ducts in IPSS compared to controls may help to explain the predisposition to stenosis in these individuals. Level of Evidence 3b Laryngoscope , 130:2186–2191, 2020