[Transmission electron microscopic study on eosinophil degranulation in nasal mucosa in allergic rhinitis]

To observe the ultrastructure of eosinophil (EOS) degranulation in nasal mucosa in allergic rhinitis, nasal mucosa biopsies from patients with perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR, n = 13) pollinosis (PS, n = 9) subjects and normal controls (n = 3) were processed and the ultrastructure changes of EOS degranulation were examined under transmission electron microscope and routine histopathological observation. The ultrastructure of EOS degranulation in nasal mucosa collected from PAR and PS patients in their remission period differed from that in their attacking period, though there was no distinct differences in the distribution patterns of EOS. Increased cell membrane projections, eminent cytoplasm vacuolization, inconsistent density of granules with its crystalloid being lost, plus tissue edema and damage of collagen fibers in adjacent areas of degranulating EOS were among the most important ultrastructural changes of EOS in attacking period. The interrelations of EOS, mast cells (MC) and T-lymphocytes play important roles in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis.