Objective:To study expression and significance of intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1)

vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1) and E-selectin in nasal polyps.Methods:Expression of three adhesion molecules in nasal polyps from 25 patients and in middle turbinates mucosa from 9 volunteers with deviation of nasal septum was measured with immunohistochemistry.All samples were also studied by HE stain and observed under optical microscope.Results:Abundant eosinophils(EOS) were observed in nasal polyps.Expression of three adhension molecules in nasal polyps upgrade significantly.There is a positive correlation between the expression in the vascular endothelium and in the matrix of nasal polyps.The statistical analysis also shows such a correlation between the expression of ICAM-1 and of VCAM-1 in the vascular endothelium of nasal polyps.Conclusion:In nasal polyps expression of these adhesion molecules increases significantly.They can express in the vascular endothelium and the matrix.They may play a key role in the chronic inflammation procedure with inflammatory cells to attach to the vascular wall

to migrate into the matrix

and to be activated.They may perform synergistic action to take part in the whole process of nasal polyps.