Mucosal immunity of the middle ear: analysis at the single cell level.
basic_science · Level V
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Abstract
Studies have suggested that the middle ear is a potential site of immunological regulation and that the middle ear mucosa constitutes a part of the mucosal immune system. We clarify the characteristics of the middle ear mucosa with respect to immune potential. We investigated lymphocyte subsets, mRNA of cytokines, and induction of antigen-specific IgA-producing cells in the middle ear mucosa in specific pathogen-free C57BL/6 mice. Flow cytometric analysis showed a certain amount (10%-15%) of gammadelta T cells among CD3+ T cells. P6-specific IgA-producing cells were induced by intranasal immunization with P6 together with cholera toxin. RT-PCR assay of mucosal T cells detected mRNA of Th2 type cytokines such as IL-5 and IL-10. These findings support the fact that the middle ear is potentially an effector site of the mucosal immunity.
Medical subject headings
- Ear, Middle
- Immunity, Mucosal