\s=b\The immunoglobulin composition of perilymph (PL) was measured using electroimmunodiffusion, and transfer of serum antibodies to PL was studied using a passive hemagglutination test in chinchillas and guinea pigs. The mean values of IgG and albumin in PL were two to four times greater than those in CSF. In guinea pigs, IgA was found in 93% of the PL and 32% of the CSF samples, but in chinchillas only trace amounts of IgA were found in 50% of the PL and 15% of the CSF samples. No IgM was detected in PL or CSF of either species. This study suggests that a greater portion of the immunoglobulins in PL probably is derived from perilymphatic blood vessels as a filtrate and that the perilymphatic inner ear immune system is independent from that of the CSF. (Arch Otolaryngol 1982;108:270-275) Kumagami et al1 induced a phe-. nomenon similar to that seen in Meniere's disease in rabbits by the introduction of protein antigens into the inner ear through the facial nerve canal after sensitization of the ani¬ mals with those antigens and suggest¬ ed the possibility of immune reaction as an underlying mechanism. The implication is that this phenomenon was produced by an antigen-antibody reaction located in the perilymph (PL) and that antibodies either were pro¬ duced locally or were present in the PL as a result of transudation from Clinic Dr, Columbus, OH 43210 (Dr Lim). the serum. There is considerable evi¬ dence supporting the presence of immunoglobulins in the PL of humans24 and guinea pigs.5 Palva and Raunio4 found IgG in all human PL tested and IgA (ß2A) and IgM (ß2M) in most of the human PL tested.The source of PL remains contro¬ versial,6"12 and the origin of immuno¬ globulins in PL is not yet determined. The fact that immunoglobulins are found in inner ear fluid (at least in PL) suggests the possibility that the inner ear may have an immunologie defense system and may be able to mount immune responses. To study further the immune system of the inner ear, as a first step, we investi¬ gated the immunoglobulin composi¬ tion of PL, compared it with that of matched CSF and serum samples, and attempted to determine the transfer capacity of antibody from serum to CSF and PL.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
AnimalsSeventy healthy chinchillas (250 to 450 g) younger than 1 year and 95 healthy guinea pigs (300 to 450 g) younger than 10 months were used.
Sample CollectionUnder pentobarbital sodium intraperitoneal anesthesia, about 0.1 mL of clear, blood-cell-free CSF was obtained by a cisternal puncture using a 25-gauge needle. Blood for serum samples was drawn by heart puncture. The PL was aspirated by insertion of a glass capillary (outside diameter, 1 mm; inside diameter, 0.5 mm) with a beveled tip (diameter, 150 to 180 Mm) through the round window membrane using a micromanipulator under a surgical microscope after the bulla was opened and the tympanic membrane, incus, and malle¬ us were removed. About 10 pL of clear, blood-cell-free PL was obtained from each chinchilla ear and about 5 /¿L from each guinea pig ear. If an animal...
The effect of Toxoplasma infection on primary antibody responses to both Tdependent and T-independent antigens was examined in mice. Drastic suppression of primary responses to sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) occurred when mice were immunized 7 days after infection. The suppression was observed in both 2
This study was designed to investigate properties of laryngeal secretion and secretory activity of IgA in the larynx. Laryngeal secretions were collected by adsorption method on filter paper during laryngomicrosurgery from 20 patients having an inflammatory lesion in the larynx. Contents of IgG, IgA, IgE, secretory component (SC), and lactoferrin in the laryngeal secretions were determined and compared with results of those in nasal secretions, tracheobronchial washings, and serum samples obtained from the same subjects. The laryngeal mucosae of 8 laryngectomized materials for cancer lesion were subjected to immunofluorescence studies including the cytoplasmic SC affinity test. Results of this study indicate that laryngeal secretions are characterized by exocrine secretion, resembling nasal and tracheobronchial secretions in the electrophoretic pattern and immunoglobulins content. The immunofluorescence studies and SC affinity test found that the larynx possesses secretory activity of IgA, particularly in the ventricle and subglottis.
To clarify the effects of anti-allergic drugs on substance P (SP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) levels in nasal secretions, we employed competitive enzyme-linked immunoassays to measure concentrations of those neuropeptides in nasal secretions from 40 patients with house dust nasal allergy before and after administration of azelastine and oxatomide. One mg of azelastine and 30 mg of oxatomide were administrated twice a day for 4 weeks. Mean values of SP concentrations and ratios of SP to total protein of the nasal allergy group were significantly higher than those of the control group (p < 0.002). The VIP/total protein ratio of the allergy group was also significantly higher than that of the control group, although the VIP concentration alone was not. Mean levels of SP and VIP from patients with severe symptoms were significantly higher than those of the control group (p < 0.05), although those values were not significantly different between patients with moderate symptoms and control subjects. Azelastine and oxatomide effectively reduced SP levels in nasal secretions (p < 0.005), but they did not significantly decrease VIP levels. The reduction of SP levels was significant in patients with excellent responses to those drugs (p < 0.005), but not in patients with poor responses. These findings suggest that SP and VIP levels in nasal secretions may reflect the clinical state of nasal allergy and be one of the better parameters available for evaluating the clinical efficacy of anti-allergic drugs against nasal allergy.
The nonciliated area in cartilaginous roof tubothelium of 14 conventional mice was examined histologically and classified as a modified transitional respiratory epithelium. On the free cell surface numerous short microvilli were found. On the lower roof surface in the midcartilaginous portion and especially near the pharyngeal orifice, a convoluted pattern of ridges and pits was observed. These structural peculiarities are interpreted as adaptive features, ensuring survival of the cells in a dynamic tubal environment. On the basis of systematic observations of the multilamellar bodies in the cytoplasm resembling the phospholipid lamellar bodies of pulmonary surfactant, which are discharged in the tubal lumen and to be found in the pits, it is suggested that the nonciliated cells are "specialized" surfactant-producing tubocytes. The synthesis of surfactant-precursors starts in the basal layer. Different phases of the secretory process were observed in the neighboring cells. This finding is related to the cell-cooperation constantly releasing the secretory product, and natural cell-turnover. Unlike the previously reported surfactant-producing cells in the lower tubothelium of other species, roof tubothelial cells of mice are morphologically similar to type II pneumocytes.
The effect of Toxoplasma infection on initiation and expression of memory cells to dinitrophenol (DNP)-conjugated protein antigens in humoral immune responses was studied in mice. Marked suppression in the initiation of memory cells to DNP-conjugated keyhole limpet hemocyanin occurred in the acute phase of infection. However, once the memory cells were induced before infection, expression of the memory cells was not affected. Moreover, the suppression of priming occurred on both T and B cells. The suppressive effect was observed in
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