The middle ear local immune response is thought to be involved in common mucosal immune system. Recently the distibution of antigen specific IgA immunocytes which play an important role in mucosal immunity were demonstrated after middle ear stimulation. The middle ear regional lymph nodes of guinea pig may contribute to the middle ear mucosal immunity. To evaluate the contribution of regional Iymph nodes, we resected these Iymph nodes after middle ear sensitization of horseradish peroxidase. No antigen specific antibody bearomg I cells were detected in the middle ear mucosa of the animals which were resected both regional Iymph nodes. This finding suggested the contribution of regional Iymph nodes to the middle ear immune respons.
