Squamous Metaplasia and BCL-6 in Pediatric Adenoid Accompanied by Otitis Media with Effusion

PURPOSE: Deterioration of local immunity in the adenoids may make them vulnerable to infection by microorganisms, resulting in otitis media with effusion. To determine the factors associated with this condition, we evaluated adenoid size, mucosal barrier, squamous changes of ciliated epithelium, IgA secretion, and BCL-6 expression in adenoids. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventeen children diagnosed with otitis media with effusion (OME group) and 20 children without any history of OME (control group) were enrolled. Their adenoids were sized by lateral view X-ray and stained with hematoxylin and eosin to detect squamous metaplasia. The adenoids were also stained with cytokeratin to evaluate mucosal barriers, and with anti- IgA antibody and anti- BCL-6 antibody to determine expression of IgA and BCL-6. RESULTS: The OME group showed greater incidence of squamous metaplasia, fewer ciliated cells, and lower expression of BCL-6 (p 0.05). IgA secretion and adenoid size were the same for the OME and the control groups. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that increased squamous metaplasia and lower BCL-6 expression in adenoids may be associated with increased susceptibility to OME.

The Three-Dimensional Co-Culture of Cholesteatomatous Keratinocyte and Fibroblast / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There has been considerable research interest in cholesteatoma in recent years but an understanding of the pathophysiology has been handicapped by the lack of a suitable research model. Recent advances in culture methods have contributed to the study of normal physiology or pathogenesis at the level of cells. However, the conventional keratinocyte culture of cholestearoma has some weak points, since it is done under a condition that is different from cellular environments and it cannot investigate cellular interaction among keratinocytes and other cells of cholesteatoma. The purpose of this study is as follows : first, we organize a new study model for cholesteatoma using a three-dimensional (3-D) culture method; and then we study fibroblast effects on keratinocytes under the 3-D culture system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Aural cholesteatomas were obtained during middle ear operations. The keratinocytes and fibroblasts were first cultured separately and then co-cultured three-dimensionally. The pureness of keratinocyte layer was examined immunohistochemically. We studied fibroblast effects on keratinocytes under the 3-D culture system from the viewpoint of proliferation and differentiation. RESULTS: We could establish 3-D culture of keratinocytes under the influence of fibroblasts. The keratinocytes of the co-culture system showed more proliferation and less differentiation than keratinocytes under the same conditions except for anchoring fibroblasts. CONCLUSION: In this study, we successfully organized the 3-D culture system, a new study model for cholesteatoma, and identified fibroblast effects on keratinocytes. This new study model might be an effective tool for research on the interactions among various cells of cholesteatoma: however, further investigation and development would he necessary.