抄録
The response of normal tubotympanic cilia from the guinea pig was investigated in an in vitro experimental system to evaluate ciliary responsiveness without the influence of secretions. Mucosal samples were obtained from three different tubotympanic locations (eustachian tube, and middle ear close to the tube [proximal site] and more distal to the tube [distal site]). Each mucosal sample was cultured in 2 ml of RPMI1640 and 1 ml of heparinized venous blood from a non-allergic human subject, a patient with ragweedsensitive allergy, or 3 patients with D. farinae-sensitive nasal allergy. 1μg of D. farinae extracts were added in each chamber to evoke an in vitro allergic reaction, and the ciliary activity of the most active cell in each chamber was monitered up to 120 min.
When D. farinae extracts were added into the chamber containing blood from subjects without sensitivity to the antigen, no changes were induced in ciliary activity through the examination. When the antigen was added into the chamber containing blood from D. farinae-sensitive subjects, ciliary exitation was induced in the culture from the eustachian tube and the proximal site. The peak was observed 30min. post-reaction and a gradual slowdown to the baseline was observed. No ciliary depression was induced by an allergic reaction. Such ciliostimulatory effects were correlated with D. farinae induced percent histamine release from whole blood. In the culture from the distal site, a gradual ciliodepression followed the peak of ciliary exitation.
In conclusion, an in vitro allergic reaction affected the ciliary activity in the distal site, but such ciliary dysfunction was not in the eustachian tube or the proximal site during such a reaction.
