Expression Of DKK1 Acted As The Antagonist Of Wnt/?-catenin Signaling In Tympanosclerosis

Objective The objective of this study was to investigate the expression of Dickkopf-1(DKK1)protein in an experimental model of tympanosclerosis and its possible role in the pathogenesis of this disorder.Methods Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were included in the study;20 were chosen as controls,and the other 20 were used in the experimental group that received an incision.Otomicroscopy was performed to observe the development of myringosclerosis.Haematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to observe the morphological changes.Western blot and immunohistochemistry were performed to assess the expression of DKK1 protein.Results At day fifteen,sclerotic lesions were observed in 70 % of the tympanic membranes.Inflammatory infiltration and hyaline degeneration markedly appeared in the tympanic membranes and middle ear mucous.DKK1 protein was mainly distributed in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells,which were widely distributed in the tympanic membranes and middle ear mucosa.The expression of DKK1 protein was significantly decreased in the calcified experimental ears.Conclusion DKK1 protein may be involved in the pathogenesis of tympanosclerosis by regulating the Wnt/?-catenin signalling pathway.Background and Objective:The etiology and pathogenesis of TS are not well known,which awaits further study.We found that the level of dickkopft-1(DKK1)is down-regulated in the experimental tympanosclerosis,which indicated that DKK1 may play a key role in the pathogenesis of tympanosclerosis.Though animal models suggested a regulatory role of DKK1 in the pathogensis of TS,its role in human is still unclear.Therefore,in this study,we aim to compare the expression level of DKK1 in serum among TS group,normal group and chronic otitis media group,and to further study whether DKK1 is correlates with the formation of tympanosclerosis.Methods:Intravenous serum samples were obtained from 15 TS,15 normal persons and 20 chronic suppurative otitis media.Then we detect the levels of DKK1 in serum of the three groups by using the method of ELISA Results:1.Compared with the normal group,DKK1 level was significantly lower in patients with TS,the difference was statistically significant.2.Compared with the normal group,DKK1 level was lower in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media,but there was no significant difference.Conclusion:The results of this study revealed that DKK1 level was significantly lower in patients with TS while not significantly lower in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media by comparing with the normal group,which indicates that DKK1 may be really correlated with the formation of tympanosclerosis.