Identification of Potential Biomarkers in Acquired Cholesteatoma

Aims: The acquired cholesteatoma, even with all the knowledge accumulated since its first description, still remains a public health problem, far from being solved. A deeper understanding of its pathogenesis is extremely important since it is a destructive lesion that might cause potentially serious complications. We had the objective, in this study, to identify acquired cholesteatoma biomarkers using proteomics platform.

Study Design: descriptive cross-sectional study.

Methodology: Samples were collected from cholesteatoma and also from the retroauricular skin of twelve patients undergoing surgery for cholesteatoma removal. The samples were studied by proteomic analysis, using the Mascot algorithm and the NCBI and Swiss Prot proteins database.

Results: Of the 393 spots identified in the analysis of protein extracts of acquired cholesteatoma, only 10 were within acceptable statistical parameters by Mascot algorithm. The proteins detected in acquired cholesteatoma were fibrinogen beta chain, extracellular matrix protein 2, actin cytoplasmic 1, heparan sulfate glucosamine 3-O-sulfotransferase 3A1, tumor necrosis factor alpha 8 induced protein-like 1, stanniocalcin-2, eosinophil lysophospholipase and OFUT1.

Conclusion: Proteins involved in cell migration, regulation of apoptosis, signaling pathways, cellular proliferation, wound healing and inflammatory processes were identified. We were able to draw a proteomic profile of acquired cholesteatoma.