Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  1998 Jun;41(6):703-711.

Expression of Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha and Interleukin 10 in the Middle Ear Effusion and Histopathological Changes of the Middle ear Mucosa in the Rats with Experimental Otitis Media with Effusion

• Chang KH
• Yeo SW
• Suh BD

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Retention of inflammatory mediators and cells in the middle ear cleft results in ongoing inflammation and hearing loss in otitis media with effusion (OME). This study attempted to clarify the role of immune reaction during OME.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Immune-mediated OME was induced in rats, which were sensitized twice subcutaneously with KLH (keyhole lympet hemocyanine) and challenged with KLH into the middle ear 1 week later. We observed the development of MEE (middle ear effusion) after 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14 days following the challenge and utilized the RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) technique to evaluate the presence of mRNAs for both TNF-alpha (tumor necrosis facor-alpha) and IL-10 (interleukin 10) in MEE. In addition, we examined the middle ear mucosa with a scanning electron microscope.
RESULTS
Serous MEE developed within 3 or 5 days, and with time, it was changed to the mucoid type. We observed that mRNAs for both TNF-alpha and IL-10 were expressed in 87% of specimens. The expression rate of TNF-alpha mRNA and IL-10 mRNA were consitently high for all, from day 3 to day 14. Morphologic changes including loss, disorientation, aggregation and flattening of cilia began in the periphery of eustachian tube orifice at 3 days and with time the changes were aggravated. The shapes of cilia near the eustachian tube orifice began to be destroyed a little at 7 days but overall ciliary architecture was preserved untill 14 days.
CONCLUSION
In the future, we will be able to apply the role of TNF-alpha and IL-10 in rat MEE to research on the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment in human OME.

Keyword

Cytokine; Immune-mediated; Otitis media with effusion; RT-PCR

MeSH Terms

Animals
Cilia
Diagnosis
Ear
Ear, Middle*
Eustachian Tube
Hearing Loss
Humans
Inflammation
Interleukin-10*
Interleukins*
Mucous Membrane*
Necrosis
Otitis Media with Effusion*
Otitis Media*
Otitis*
Rats*
RNA, Messenger
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha*
Interleukin-10
Interleukins
RNA, Messenger
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha