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Modulation of middle ear immune response by gut immunization
1Department of Surgery, UCSD Medical School.
The Laryngoscope
|December 1, 1989
Summary
Swallowing pathogens can alter middle ear (ME) immunity. Depending on timing, gut exposure may reduce inflammation or increase resistance and inflammation in otitis media with effusion (OME).
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Otolaryngology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Swallowing upper respiratory pathogens is common.
- These pathogens can be involved in otitis media with effusion (OME).
- The immunologic consequences of gut exposure to these pathogens on the middle ear (ME) are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the immunologic effects of gut exposure to antigens on the middle ear.
- To determine how the timing of antigen feeding relative to systemic sensitization influences ME immune responses and OME.
Main Methods:
- Guinea pigs were fed antigen either before or after systemic sensitization.
- A middle ear (ME) immune response was elicited via ME antigenic challenge.
- Immune responses and incidence of immune-mediated OME were assessed.
Main Results:
- Feeding antigen before systemic sensitization induced systemic tolerance, blunting ME immune response and OME.
- Feeding antigen after systemic sensitization amplified ME immunity and increased immune-mediated OME.
- Gut immunization significantly modulated ME immune responses.
Conclusions:
- Gut immunization potently modulates the middle ear immune response.
- The timing of pathogen swallowing influences immune outcomes, potentially leading to hyporesponsiveness (reduced inflammation) or hyperresponsiveness (increased inflammation).
- Understanding this gut-ear axis is crucial for managing OME and related infections.