PMID: 15375588Sep 18, 2004Paper

External auditory canal cholesteatoma: analysis of the integrity of the tissue structure

International Journal of Molecular Medicine
Ramin NaimKarl Hormann

Abstract

Metalloproteinases have been characterised as "destroying bulldozers" in the extracellular matrix permitting normal remodelling and contributing to pathological tissue destruction. The opposing system is established by the Cadherin-beta-catenin system, which assures the integrity of the tissue. The EACC is an extremely rare disease in the field of Otolaryngology and its incidence is estimated about 1 per 1000 new otologic patients. The aim of this study is to characterise the balance between metalloproteinases and beta-catenin in EACC tissue. Twelve specimens were obtained during surgical removal of the EACC. The EACC- and AMS-specimens were immunostained with antibodies for beta-catenin, MMP-2 and MMP-9, respectively. Immunostaining for gelatinases was increased in all layers of the EACC. However, the normal auditory meatal skin presented moderate immunostaining. In the EACC specimens, the basal layers of the matrix were positive for beta-catenin. The suprabasal layers showed diminished or negative immunostaining for beta-catenin. In all layers the AMS was homogeneously positive for beta-catenin. Metalloproteinases can modulate the balance between cellular growth and apoptosis through cleavage of non-matrix, cell-surface subst...Continue Reading

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