Transcriptomics unravels molecular changes associated with cilia and COVID-19 in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

Abstract

Abstract Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps is a common condition where the pathogenesis is largely unknown. We measured total gene expression in nasal mucosa using RNA sequencing technology. Pathways involving “Ciliated epithelial cells” were the most differentially expressed molecular pathways when polyp mucosa and non-polyp mucosa from the same patient was compared (p = 8.5x10− 78). Natural killer T-cell (NKT) (p = 2.4x10− 45) and viral pathways were the most significant when mucosa from patients were compared with mucosa from healthy control individuals. Differentially expressed genes included LZTFL1, XCR1, IFNAR1, IFNAR2 and IL10RB, all located within the strongest genome-wide associated regions of COVID-19. Cilia of nasal epithelial cells have many functions and are likely an important entry point for viral infection. Altered expression of genes related to cilia, NKT-cells and viruses, point to the deregulation of viral defenses in nasal polyps of chronic rhinosinusitis, and may give clues to future intervention strategies.