Enhanced epithelial proliferation due to elevated levels of interleukin-1 receptors in middle ear cholesteatomas

• Published in: European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology 1997-01, Vol.254 (1), p.6-8
• Main Authors: BUJIA, J, KIM, C, OSTOS-AUMENTE, P, LOPEZ-VILLAREJO, J, KASTENBAUER, E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Cell Division - physiology; Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear - pathology; Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear - surgery; Ear Canal - pathology; Ear, auditive nerve, cochleovestibular tract, facial nerve: diseases, semeiology; Epithelium - pathology; Humans; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Medical sciences; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Receptors, Interleukin-1 - analysis; Receptors, Interleukin-1 - physiology; Tumors
• ISSN: 0937-4477; 1434-4726
• DOI: 10.1007/BF02630748

Middle ear cholesteatoma epithelium is a rich source of interleukin-1-alpha (IL-1-alpha), being involved in both keratinocyte hyperproliferation and bone destruction. IL-1-alpha exerts its effects by binding to two distinct IL-1 receptors (IL-1-R). In this study, we have examined the expression of IL-1-R type II (IL-1-R-II) in cholesteatoma samples and have quantified these levels with computer-assisted image analysis. Normal aural skin was used as control. Immunostaining demonstrated the presence of IL-1-R-II in both epidermis and cholesteatoma keratinocytes. The receptors were 3 times higher than those in normal epidermis. The presence of IL-1-alpha in cholesteatoma epithelium coupled with the induced expression of IL-1-R-II indicates the existence of a highly regulated system of autocrine stimulation of cholesteatoma keratinocytes by IL-1.