Human respiratory nasal mucosa in progressive systemic sclerosis (scleroderma). An electron microscopic study.
The fine structure of the respiratory nasal mucosa in cases of systemic scleroderma was studied in 5 patients. The cilia were absent in all the sections examined, and the epithelium showed characteristic morphological details. Absence of the mucous elements in the sero-mucinous glands was noticed with evidence of increased activity of the serous units. The capillaries and small arterioles showed severe changes. Electron-dense deposits were seen within the various constituents of the nasal mucosa. It was assumed that the characteristics of the disease are dependent on individual reactivity of a genetically determined immune system stimulated by an undetermined factor.
D000328:Adult; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004848:Epithelium / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000473:pathology*