Aspects of Biological Potentials of Mononuclear Cells in Middle Ear Effusions

Abstract

Mononuclear phagocytes are cells common in the subepithelial space of the mucosa of the middle ear and in middle ear effusion during an attack of otitis media. Here we review studies to date on biological potentials of aural macrophages in the pathogenesis of otitis media. The origin of aural macrophages may be in the circulating pool of monocytes in the blood, in the pre-existing population of macrophages in the mucosa of the middle ear, in proliferation of macrophages in the middle ear, or in nasopharyngeal and tonsillar tissues. Macrophages demonstrate great phagocytic activity in eliminating tissue-debris, bacteria, and viruses. It seems likely that the secretory products of macrophages …such as lysozyme, components of complement, prostaglandins, collagenase, and other biologically active agents…play an important part in the pathogenesis of otitis media. There is also evidence available that aural macrophages play an important role in the regulation of lymphocytic response to antigens in active otitis media.