Abstract
Otitis media with effusion (OME) was induced in guinea pigs (Gp) by instillation of immune complex (IC) into the tubotympanic cavity. IC was obtained by mixing bovine serum albumin (BSA) with anti-BSA serum of Gp.
Localization of IC and complement (C3) was examined under an electronmicroscopy by protein A-gold technique. They were localized in the mucoid effusion, pericilliary spaces, degenerated epithelial cells and granules of the goblet cells, wherereas rarely seen on the basement membrane of the epithelium or the capillary wall of the lamina propria. Localization of C3 was also studied at light microsopic level, and C3 was widely disperesed throughout the mucosa. It was suggested that IC might activate C3 in the tubotympanic cavity before absorption by the epithelial cell and cause the local tissue damage.
