title: Immunologically activated cells in aural cholesteatoma.
abstract: In this immunohistochemical study, we characterized the cells infiltrating the stroma of acquired aural cholesteatomas in detail, using a panel of monoclonal antibodies directed against immune cell type-specific antigens, HLA class II antigens, and interleukin-2 receptor. For all antibodies used, normal ear skin was stained for comparison. The vast majority of the infiltrating cells was CD45-positive, ie, derived from bone marrow. Reactivity with anti-CD3 and anti-CD6 antibodies revealed an abundant infiltration of T lymphocytes beneath the squamous epithelium of cholesteatoma. The B lymphocyte-specific anti-CD19 and anti-CD22 antibodies detected only occasional positive cells. Hence, the cellular infiltrate in the stroma of aural cholesteatoma is made up primarily of T cells with macrophages scattered between them. Expression of HLA-DR was almost as high as that of CD45, whereas CD25-positive cells were detected in lower amounts. We infer that the majority of T cells and macrophages in the stroma of cholesteatoma are in an immunologically activated state. The characteristics of the infiltrating cell population suggest an antigen-driven process in cholesteatoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oto-rhinolaryngology, University of Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Schilling
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bujía
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Negri
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Schulz
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kastenbauer
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000096:biosynthesis; D002781:Cholesteatoma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D004423:Ear; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015703:Antigens, CD; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens