Mucosal immunity of the middle ear: analysis at the single cell level.
OBJECTIVE
Studies have suggested that the middle ear is a potential site of immunological regulation and that the middle ear mucosa constitutes a part of the mucosal immune system. We clarify the characteristics of the middle ear mucosa with respect to immune potential.


METHODS
We investigated lymphocyte subsets, mRNA of cytokines, and induction of antigen-specific IgA-producing cells in the middle ear mucosa in specific pathogen-free C57BL/6 mice.


RESULTS
Flow cytometric analysis showed a certain amount (10%-15%) of gammadelta T cells among CD3+ T cells. P6-specific IgA-producing cells were induced by intranasal immunization with P6 together with cholera toxin. RT-PCR assay of mucosal T cells detected mRNA of Th2 type cytokines such as IL-5 and IL-10.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings support the fact that the middle ear is potentially an effector site of the mucosal immunity.
Suenaga
S
S
Department of Otolaryngology, Oita Medical University, Japan.
Kodama
S
S
Ueyama
S
S
Suzuki
M
M
Mogi
G
G
D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000276:immunology*; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal / Q000276:immunology*; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000378:metabolism; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL
D016207:Cytokines; D000939:Epitopes; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory