44-plex cytokine profile of cholesteatoma.

CONCLUSION A nuanced profiling was achieved by the simultaneous analysis of 44 cytokines in cholesteatoma. The novel discovery of high levels of interleukin 21 (IL21) in cholesteatoma could explain the expansive growth and could serve as future drug target, as for example also suggested for psoriasis. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to analyze and compare the cytokine profiles of cholesteatoma and the surrounding tissues. METHODS The Luminex Multiplex xMAP bead-based antibody assay was applied to measure the concentrations of 44 cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors (BIRC5, CCL11, CCL2, CCL3, CCL4, CCL5, CCL7, CD40LG, CSF2, CSF3, CX3CL1, CXCL10, CXCL9, EGF, HGF, ICAM1, IFNA2, IFNG, IL10, IL12*, IL12B, IL13, IL15, IL17A, IL17F, IL1A, IL1B, IL1R1, IL2, IL20, IL21, IL22, IL23A, IL4, IL5, IL6, IL7, IL8, LTA, MIF, TGFA, TGFB1, TNF, VEGFA) in human biopsies from cholesteatoma, neck of cholesteatoma (the transition zone from tympanic membrane), tympanic membrane, external auditory canal skin, and middle ear mucosa. RESULTS All 44 cytokines were detected in all 5 tissue types. Compared with external auditory canal skin, cholesteatoma showed high levels of IL8 (ratio 38, p = 0.027) and IL-21 (ratio 4.1, p = 0.02) and low levels of IL-6 (ratio 0.07, p = 0.027).