[Specific immunological and morphological features of chronic rhinitis]

Samples of mucosal tissue from inferior nasal conchae for histological and immunological studies were collected during surgical intervention on 25 non-allergic patients with different clinical and morphological forms of chronic hypertrophic rhinitis. It was shown that the pathological process extends over all structures of conchal mucosa, namely, epithelium, lamina propria, and cavernous sinuses. However, proliferative activity of the epithelium may be spared, the structure of vascular endothelium, basement membranes of epithelium, glands and blood vessels remains either normal or only slightly affected, IgA synthesis persists, and immunocompetent cells (CD45 RO(+) T-lymphocytes, CD20(+) B-lymphocytes, and CD68(+) macrophages) retain functional activity. Taken together, these findings suggest high regenerative potential of nasal mucosa and preservation of mechanisms of local protection including cellular and humoral immunity despite the on-going pathological process. It implies the necessity of great caution during surgical interventions.