内耳免疫反応における免疫担当細胞の解析

抄録

Immunohistochemical methods were used to inyestigate the development of inner ear immunocompetent cells in BALB/c mice over a 3-week period as a result of secondary inner ear response against keyhole limpet hemocyanin. Macrophages and granulocytes were observed at 6 hours post. challenge in the endolymphatic sac (ES) and cochlea, and rapidly increased in both sites. T cells gradually increased in the ES and cochlea after challenge. The predominant immunoglobulin-bearing cell in the ES was IgG, followed by IgM, with IgA seen late in the response. Suppressor T cells were detectable in the ES and cochlea by 3 weeks post. challenge. We conclude that the inner ear has the capacity to mount as immune response through the accumulation of needed immunocompetent cells.