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The distribution of free calcium ions in the cholesteatoma epithelium

European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology and Head & Neck volume 262, pages 77–80 (2005)Cite this article

Abstract

The distribution of free calcium ions in normal skin and cholesteatoma epithelium was investigated using the oxalate precipitation method. In agreement with previous observations, we could demonstrate a calcium ion gradient in normal epidermis where the cells in stratum basale and spinosum reside in an environment containing relatively low concentrations of calcium ions, whereas the outer stratum granulosum contained abundant calcium. The concentration declined precipitously in the stratum corneum. In contrast, in cholesteatomas, the gradient was perturbed in some areas of the nucleated layers and areas appeared where oblong accumulations of free calcium ions were found basally in the stratum. These findings provide evidence that fluctuations in epidermal calcium in cholesteatoma epithelium may underlie the abnormal desquamation, may contribute to the formation of an abnormal permeability barrier and may regulate terminal events in epidermal differentiation.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by grants from the Schioldann Foundation. We would like to thank Stephen J. Fey for his help with the translation

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital of Odense, 5000, Odense, Denmark

    Viggo Svane-Knudsen

  2. Department of Pathology, University Hospital of Odense, Odense, Denmark

    Gurli Rasmussen & Peter D. Ottosen

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  1. Viggo Svane-Knudsen
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  2. Gurli Rasmussen
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Correspondence to Viggo Svane-Knudsen.

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Svane-Knudsen, V., Rasmussen, G. & Ottosen, P.D. The distribution of free calcium ions in the cholesteatoma epithelium. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 262, 77–80 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-004-0737-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-004-0737-9

Keywords

  • Calcium
  • Cholesteatoma
  • Permeability barrier
  • Transmission electron microscopy