title: Gene expression demonstrates an immunological capacity of the human endolymphatic sac.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the present study is to explore, demonstrate, and describe the expression of genes related to the innate immune system in the human endolymphatic sac. It is hypothesized that the endolymphatic sac has a significant immunological function in the human inner ear.
  
  
  METHODS
  DNA microarrays and immunohistochemistry were used for analyses of fresh human endolymphatic-sac tissue samples.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve tissue samples from the human endolymphatic sac were obtained during translabyrinthine surgery for vestibular schwannoma. Microarray technology was used to investigate tissue sample gene expression using adjacent dura mater as control. The expression of genes specific for the innate immune system was determined and results for selected key molecules verified by immunohistochemistry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A comprehensive overview of expressed genes of the innate immune system was obtained. Multiple key elements of both the cellular and humoral innate immune system were expressed, including Toll-like receptors 4 and 7, as well as beta-defensin and lactoferrin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present data provides the first direct evidence of an immunological capacity of the human endolymphatic sac. At the molecular level, the endolymphatic sac is capable of antigen recognition and processing for initiation of an immune response. In addition, potent molecules directly toxic to invading pathogens are expressed by the sac epithelium. This evidence strongly supports the endolymphatic sac as a significant immunological entity of the inner ear.
  
  
  METHODS
  N/A.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Rigshospitalet (m.n.m., p.c-t.).
authors.forename: Martin Nue
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Møller
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine, Dental School, Panum Institute (s.k.), University of Copenhagen.
authors.forename: Svend
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kirkeby
authors.affiliation: Center for Genomic Medicine (j,v., f.c.n.), University of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet.
authors.forename: Jonas
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vikeså
authors.affiliation: Center for Genomic Medicine (j,v., f.c.n.), University of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet.
authors.forename: Finn Cilius
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Rigshospitalet (m.n.m., p.c-t.).|The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences (p.c-t.), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cayé-Thomasen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics*; D004428:Ear Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004712:Endolymphatic Sac / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000235:genetics*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm
keywords: Endolymphatic sac; Meniere; gene array; immunohistochemistry; innate immune; vestibular