Increased Expression of Major Basic Protein (MBP) and Interleukin‐5 (IL‐5) in Middle Ear Biopsy Specimens from Atopic Patients with Persistent Otitis Media with Effusion

Abstract

The middle ear may serve as a target organ for allergic inflammation, suggesting that appropriate allergy management may be a useful adjunct to the management of OME.

Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) 2008*

“…In view of the concept of global airway allergy, it can be expected that an allergic inflammatory response can also take place in the middle ear. Indeed, all cells and mediators that contribute to allergic inflammation are present in the middle-ear fluid of OME patients (2134,2135). The middle-ear fluid of atopic patients with OME contains more eosinophils and IL-4 and IL-5 mRNA-positive cells as compared to nonatopic patients with OME (2122).…”

Audiological Investigation of Otitis Media in Children with Atopy

“…Recently, other investigators have reported that the composition of the inflammatory substrate in MEE is similar to the late-phase allergic response seen in other areas of the respiratory tract, such as in chronic sinusitis, AR, and asthma. Wright et al [24] demonstrated an increased expression of interleukin (IL)-5 and eosinophils in the middle ear mucosa of patients with OM. Hurst and Venge [25] reported elevated levels of eosinophil cationic protein in MEE.…”

The Relation between Tympanostomy Tube Otorrhea and Types of Immune Cells in Middle Ear Effusion in Children with Otitis Media with Effusion

“…110,116,117 The expression of IL-5 mRNA in mucosa was up-regulated and correlated with increased expression of major basic protein (cell marker for eosinophils) and CD3 (cell marker for activated T lymphocytes). 116 Examination of the cytokine profile in the middle-ear specimens showed an increased number of cells expressing IL-5 and its correlation with the percentage of eosinophils and T lymphocytes.…”

“…110,116,117 The expression of IL-5 mRNA in mucosa was up-regulated and correlated with increased expression of major basic protein (cell marker for eosinophils) and CD3 (cell marker for activated T lymphocytes). 116 Examination of the cytokine profile in the middle-ear specimens showed an increased number of cells expressing IL-5 and its correlation with the percentage of eosinophils and T lymphocytes. 110 Correlation between the percentage of eosinophils and levels of IL-5 in effusions was particularly striking in OME patients with asthma, 117 suggesting that middle ear eosinophilia could be dependent not only on the local, but also on the general level of IL-5 production.…”