[The expression and significance of human beta-defensin 2 in middle ear cholesteatoma epithelium].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the effects of human beta-defensin 2 (hBD-2) in pathologic process of cholesteatoma by observing the expression of hBD-2 and the correlation of hBD-2 and density of Langhans cells(LC) in middle ear cholesteatoma.


METHODS
The specimens from 21 cases of acquired middle ear cholesteatoma and 10 cases of external auditory canal skin (EACS) were examined by immunohistochemical method of hBD-2 and Langerhans cells (S-100 positive cells).


RESULTS
In EACS, hBD-2 staining was faint while in the epithelium of cholesteatoma it was much stronger, there was significant difference between them( P < 0.01). Compared to that in EACS, the number of LC in the epithelium of cholesteatoma was increased. There was a strong correlation between elevated expression of hBD-2 and increased density of LC in the epithelium of cholesteatoma ( P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
hBD-2 may play an important role in the inflammatory status of middle ear cholesteatoma. It maybe display chemotactic activity for LIangerhans cells (LC), and thus serves to link up innate and acquired immunity.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, TangDu Hospital of the Fourth Military University, Xian, 710038, China. renxiaoyong@sina.com
Xiaoyong
X
Ren
Pengcheng
P
Cui
Wenxian
W
Chen
Min
M
Xu
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018424:Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D023083:beta-Defensins / Q000096:biosynthesis*
C106641:DEFB4A protein, human; D023083:beta-Defensins