Morphological characterization of the false vocal cords as larynx-associated lymphoid tissue.
The lymphoid follicles (LF) found in the false vocal cords (FVC) protect the upper air tracts, similar to the lymphoid tissue associated to the respiratory mucosas. However, studies that characterize the phenotype of cells like larynx-associated lymphoid tissue (LALT) are lacking. We analyzed the FVC of autopsied adults according to morphometric and immunohistochemical criteria and defined their possible role as LALT. We analyzed 249 FVC. Primary antibodies, CD68+ macrophages, CD20+, CD3+, and FDC+ were used for the evaluation of inflammatory cell phenotypes. In 40.6% of the cases, there was an inflammatory reaction. In 42.2% of the cases, LF were identified in the submucosa. In 17.3% of the cases, neither LF nor mononuclear cells were identified in the FVC, and these patients were from an older age group (p=0.013). A significant increase in the number of all LF cell phenotypes was observed in patients with pulmonary inflammation; the difference in both T- and B-lymphocytes was statistically significant (p=0.010). The morphological findings of LF suggest a probable participation of the FVC in the protection of the larynx and lungs, and similarity to LALT.
Rossi-and-Silva
Renata Calciolari
RC
General Pathology Division, Triangulo Mineiro Federal University, Avenida Frei Paulino, 30 Uberaba-MG, Brazil. renatacalciolari@terra.com.br
Olegário
Janainna Grazielle P
JG
Corrêa
Rosana Rosa M
RR
Salge
Ana Karina M
AK
Peres
Luiz C
LC
Reis
Marlene A
MA
Vicente de Paula
A Teixeira
AT
Castro
Eumenia Costa C
EC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D018951:Antigens, CD20 / Q000032:analysis; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / Q000032:analysis; D001344:Autopsy; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000032:analysis; D020566:Dendritic Cells, Follicular / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D007830:Larynx / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D000097382:CD68 Molecule
D015703:Antigens, CD; D018951:Antigens, CD20; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; D017252:CD3 Complex; C067980:CD68 antigen, human; D000097382:CD68 Molecule