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Spatial distribution of antimicrobial peptides and mast cells in the skin of the external auditory canal

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 October 2011

Y J Yoon  and
E J Lee
Y J Yoon*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine and Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, South Korea
E J Lee
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine and Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, South Korea
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Yong Joo Yoon, Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Chonbuk National University, Kumam-dong, Dukjin-gu, Jeonju, South Korea Fax: +82 63 250 1986 E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Objective:

The direct activity of antimicrobial peptides against microbes is thought to be an essential first line of defence in the skin; however, little is known about antimicrobial peptide secretion in the skin of the external auditory canal. Evidence suggests that mast cells contribute to the secretion of antimicrobial peptides. This study aimed to examine the distribution of mast cells and antimicrobial peptides, including human β-defensin-1 and -2 and LL-37, in the external auditory canal skin.

Methods:

External auditory canal skin samples from 12 patients undergoing middle-ear surgery with canaloplasty were immunohistochemically stained to detect expression of mast cell markers (tryptase and chymase) and antimicrobial peptides (human β-defensin-1 and -2 and LL-37).

Results:

Mast cells and human β-defensin-1 were present in the ceruminous glands but not in the sebaceous glands. The increased presence of mast cells, human β-defensin-1 and LL-37 in ceruminous glands suggests that mast cells may participate in the secretion of antimicrobial peptides from ceruminous glands.

Conclusion:

These findings suggest that mast cells contribute to the secretion of antimicrobial peptides in the ceruminous glands of the external auditory canal skin.

Keywords

Mast CellsCerumenHuman β defensinLL-37
Type
Online Only Main Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 125 , Issue 11 , November 2011 , e6
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2011

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