Glycoconjugate expression in normal human inferior turbinate mucosa: a lectin histochemical study.
BACKGROUND
Further study on the composition and concentration of normal nasal mucosal glycoconjugates is needed.


METHODS
A battery of ten lectins was used to stain six carbohydrates residing in the inferior turbinate mucosa of 21 healthy individuals.


RESULTS
The concentrations of glycoconjugates of the glycocalyx exceeded that of epithelial goblet, ciliated, and basal cells, and also of mucous, serous, and mixed submucosal glands. Epithelial goblet cells and submucosal mucous glands contained relatively high concentrations of glycoconjugates, whereas in epithelial ciliated and basal cells, similar to serous and mixed submucosal glands, concentrations were scanty. The concentrations of N-acetylgalactosamine and galactose were higher in goblet cells than in mucous glands (p = 0.006, and p = 0.056, respectively). Differences in the concentrations of N-acetylglucosamine, fucose, mannose, and sialic acid were insignificant.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings provide a baseline for comparison of the composition and concentration of carbohydrates of the normal and pathologic inferior turbinate mucosa.
Berger
Gilead
G
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Meir Hospital, Sapir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel.
Kogan
Tatiana
T
Skutelsky
Ehud
E
Ophir
Dov
D
D006001:Glycoconjugates / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D037102:Lectins; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D012016:Reference Values; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods*; D014420:Turbinates
D006001:Glycoconjugates; D037102:Lectins