Abstract
As the mechanism of pathogenesis of relapsing polychondritis, autoimmunity to type II collagen has been suggested. Audiovestibular disorders is known to be often associated. Crossreactivity between anti-human type II collagen antibody and type II collagen of guinea pigs or rats was examined by immunofluorescence. Type II collagen which crosses to human antibody was detected in osseous spiral lamina and spiral ligament. The evidence of presence of type II collagen in human inner ear suggest that the antibody binds to inner ear and results in audiovestibular disorders.
