In summary, this study demonstrates that the long non-coding RNA NEAT1 plays a pivotal role in promoting epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and epithelial barrier dysfunction in CRSwNP by acting as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) to suppress miR-199-3p and upregulate PAK4. This evidence concerns the gene NEAT1 and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.