[Human type II collagen induced autoimmune inner ear lesions in guinea pigs]

Guinea pigs were immunized with human type I, type II or type III collagen. Inner ear lesions were induced in some guinea pigs by immunizing them with human type II collagen. Histopathologic changes included endolymphatic hydrops, organ of Corti lesions and endolymphatic duct contained a large number of inflammatory cells. These histologic changes resembled those observed in patient with Meniere's disease. We didn't discover any inner ear lesions in guinea pigs by immunizing them with human type I and type III collagen, although their serum antibody titers were high and antibody presented in perilymph. Immunohistochemical study showed the presence of type II collagen in the cochlea tissues--spiral ligament, basilar membrane, tectorial membrane, spiral limb and Rosenthal's canal. We didn't discover type I and type III collagen in these area.