Localization of Antileukoprotease in Middle Ear Mucosa

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Abstract
The localization of antileukoprotease was studied immunohistologically in normal [human] middle ear mucosa specimens obtained at autopsy and in chronically inflamed middle ear mucosa specimens obtained at middle ear surgery for chronic otitis media. In the sections of normal as well as in the sections of chronically inflamed middle ear mucosa, antileukoprotease localization was confined to PAS[periodic acid Schifff]-positive goblet cells of surface epithelium and to PAS-positive goblet-like cells of submucosal glands and crypts, whereas ciliated mucosal cells and stratified squamous epithelial cells were devoid of antileukoprotease. In comparison with normal middle ear mucosa, an increased number of goblet cells, and an increased number of cells containing antileukoprotease, was present in the chronically inflamed middle ear mucosa. Antileukoprotease is a potent inhibitor of granulocyte elastase and cathepsin G; this proliferation of the respiratory epithelium during inflammatory processes in the middle ear may indicate an increased activity of the biologic defense system against the action of granulocyte proteases.

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