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Lymphocyte subsets in immune-mediated otitis media with effusion

European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology volume 249, pages 24–27 (1992)Cite this article

Summary

To examine the role of T-cell subsets in immune-mediated otitis media with effusion induced by keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), we used immuno-histochemical methods to investigate the kinetics of immunocytes of the middle ear (ME) and eustachian tube (ET) in healthy BALB/c mice. Antibodies against murine macrophages and granulocytes (anti-Mac-1), helper T cells (anti-Lyt-1), suppressor T cells (anti-Lyt-2), immunoglobulins (anti-IgG, -IgM, -IgA), secretory component (SC) and KLH were used. The ME exhibited a substantial immune response, whereas the response of the ET was minor and was associated with a secondary ME immune response. After KLH challenge, an effusion with an extensive infiltration of inflammatory cells (Mac-1, IgG+ and IgM+ cells) was observed at days 1 and 3 in the ME cavity and rapidly disappeared by day 7. Within the ME mucosa, a large number of cells was observed at days 1 and 3, peaking on day 7 when a submucosal lymphoid infiltration was detected. In the immune response of the ME mucosa, Mac-1 cells were the predominant cell type followed by helper T cells, IgG+ cells, IgA+ cells and then IgM+ cells. Suppressor T cells were rarely detected after KLH challenge. SC was present within ME epithelial cells from days 1 to 14. From these findings, we conclude (1) that the majority of infiltrating cells in the ME cavity originate from circulating blood; (2) that the ME mucosa has an excellent capacity to mount a strong immune response, including mucosal immunity, through the accumulation of immunocytes for antigen processing and antibody production; (3) that elimination of antigen appears to be the most important factor for returning the immune response to a quiescent state.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Otolaryngology, Asahikawa Medical School, Nishikagura, 4-5-3-11, Asahikawa, Japan

    M. Takahashi, N. Kanai, A. Watanabe & O. Oshima

  2. Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego Medical Center, San Diego, California, USA

    A. F. Ryan

Authors
  1. M. Takahashi
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  2. N. Kanai
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  3. A. Watanabe
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  4. O. Oshima
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  5. A. F. Ryan
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Takahashi, M., Kanai, N., Watanabe, A. et al. Lymphocyte subsets in immune-mediated otitis media with effusion. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 249, 24–27 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00175666

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00175666

Key words

  • Immune-mediated otitis media
  • T-cell subsets
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Mouse