Abstract
The localization of lysozyme (LZ) and lactoferrin (LF) in the human maxillary sinus mucosa was studied immunohistochemically. Forty-nine specimens from patients with chronic sinusitis and 13 specimens from normal controls were used. LZ and LF were observed in goblet cells and serous cells of submucosal mixed glands. In the mucosa from patients with chronic sinusitis, the staining reaction to LZ appeared to intensify in goblet cells. LZ and LF were also found in newly formed atypical glands and the apical part of epithelial cells in the mucosa from patients with chronic sinusitis. In normal mixed glands, the mucous cells containing mucin and the serous cells containing LZ and LF could be distinguished. However, in goblet cells, the apical part of some epithelial cells and cells of atypical glands, LZ, LF and mucins appeared to be localized to the same cells. The results of the present study suggest that the LZ, LF and mucin secreting activity of the secretory cells vary according to functional stage of the inflammatory processes, and LZ and LF may play a part in the course of chronic sinusitis.
