title: Alterations in extracellular matrix composition in the aging larynx.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study by immunohistochemistry the alterations of collagens I, III, IV, and V and elastin in the aging process of the human larynx.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cadaver study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Brazil.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty vocal folds were obtained at autopsy from 10 adult men (aged 30 to 50 years) and 20 geriatric men (10 aged 60 to 75 years and 10 aged >75 years). Mid membranous vocal fold slides were subjected to immunohistochemical reactions. Digital imaging software (ImageJ) was used to quantify the increase in brownish staining of the lamina propria structures of vocal folds, from superficial to deep layers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was an increase of collagen I and III immunoexpression in the elderly larynges, in both layers. Collagens IV and V were immunoexpressed in the vessels endothelium of the lamina propria and in the basement membrane. The immunoexpression of elastin decreased in the elderly larynges, in both lamina propria layers of the vocal folds.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A clear increase of collagens I and III and a decrease of elastic fibers were observed in the lamina propria of vocal folds. The concentration of collagens IV and V was the same across age groups. These findings suggest that as men age, the density of the extracellular matrix increases, brought about by an increase in collagen, while the loss of elastin results in decreased viscoelasticity.
authors: Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Department, Botucatu Medical School, UNESP-Univ Estadual Paulista, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Anete
authors: A
authors: Branco
authors: Department of Pathology, Botucatu Medical School, UNESP-Univ Estadual Paulista, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Alexandre
authors: A
authors: Todorovic Fabro
authors: Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Department, Botucatu Medical School, UNESP-Univ Estadual Paulista, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Tatiana Maria
authors: TM
authors: Gonçalves
authors: Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Department, Botucatu Medical School, UNESP-Univ Estadual Paulista, São Paulo, Brazil rmartins@fmb.unesp.br.
authors: Regina Helena
authors: RH
authors: Garcia Martins
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D001344:Autopsy; D001938:Brazil; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism*; D004549:Elastin / Q000378:metabolism*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D003094:Collagen; D004549:Elastin
keywords: aged; collagen; elastin; immunohistochemistry; lamina propria; larynx; vocal folds