title: The presence of a local immune system in the upper blind and lower part of the human nasolacrimal duct.
abstract: The nasolacrimal duct is exposed to exogenous agents, including potentially harmful microorganisms, coming from the eye surface by the lacrimal sac, and from the nasal cavity by the inferior meatus of the nose. The upper blind and lower part of the human nasolacrimal duct were examined immunohistochemically to ascertain the presence and localization of immunoglobulin-producing cells and the epithelial expression of IgA, IgM, and IgG in order to verify the possible antimicrobial properties of this duct. IgA-, IgM-, and IgG-positive immunocompetent cells were recognizable in the lamina propria of the upper blind and lower part of the human nasolacrimal duct, while an evident immunoreactivity for sIgA, IgM, and IgG was demonstrated in the cytoplasm of the apical epithelial cells. The results suggest that all the effector components of the mucosal immune system are present in that area of the human nasal mucosa next to the opening of the nasolacrimal duct as well as in the human lacrimal sac.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cytomorphology, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy. psirigu@unica.it
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sirigu
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Maxia
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Puxeddu
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Zucca
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Piras
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Perra
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018951:Antigens, CD20 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D001706:Biopsy; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000096:biosynthesis; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000502:physiology*; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000378:metabolism; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000378:metabolism; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009301:Nasolacrimal Duct / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D000097382:CD68 Molecule
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D015703:Antigens, CD; D018951:Antigens, CD20; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; D017252:CD3 Complex; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; C067980:CD68 antigen, human; D000097382:CD68 Molecule