Apoptosis in the developing human cricoid cartilage: a pilot study.
Apoptosis is widely recognized as a major phenomenon in normal development. Deficiencies in this process may lead to developmental abnormalities such as congenital subglottic stenosis. We studied apoptosis using in situ end labeling of the 3'-OH ends of fragmented DNA in 5 progressively older, normal, human cricoid cartilage specimens. Results show that apoptosis is a very active process in fetal and neonatal tissue. The process gradually slows with advancing age. In the 4- and 13-year-old specimens, minimal to no apoptosis was seen. We conclude that apoptosis plays a critical role in the intraluminal and extraluminal expansion of the cricoid cartilage.
Mankarious
L
L
Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA 02114, USA. leila_mankarious@meei.harvard.edu
Ansley
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D002452:Cell Count; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003413:Cricoid Cartilage / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000196:embryology* / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D053938:DNA Fragmentation / Q000502:physiology; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005865:Gestational Age; D005931:Glottis / Q000002:abnormalities; D006801:Humans; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D007223:Infant; D007829:Laryngostenosis / Q000151:congenital / Q000196:embryology; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D010865:Pilot Projects