The relationship between proteases activity and glycoprotein levels in middle ear effusions from experimental otitis media in cats

Yukiyoshi Hamaguchi, Kazuhiko Takeuchi, Chun Shun Jin, Yuichi Majima, Hidehisa Suzumura, Yasuo Sakakura, Steven K. Juhn

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5 Scopus citations

Abstract

The relationship between lysosomal proteases activity (elastase and cathepsin B) and levels of mucous glycoproteins in middle ear effusions (MEEs) was studied using a cat model of otitis media with effusion (OME) induced by Eustachian tube obstruction (ETO). The ratio of cathepsin B activity to total protein concentration (TPC) in MEE was 25.6 ±19.4 RFU/g×dl-1 at 1 week after ETO, and increased with the duration of OME. The ratio of elastase activity to TPC had a significant correlation to total leukocyte count. The ratio of fucose levels to TPC, which is one of the parameters reflecting levels of mucous glycoprotein, at 1 week after ETO was significantly higher than that at both 2 and 4 weeks after ETO. The percentage of glycoprotein levels absorbed to wheat germ lectin was highest at 1 week after ETO, and decreased with the duration of OME. In conclusion, mucous glycoproteins in cat occupy a larger portion of glycoproteins in MEE at the early stage of OME, and elastase and other lysosomal proteases may play a role in both stimulation of mucin release from goblet cells and mucin degradation. The balance of these processes seems to be a key factor determining mucin levels in MEEs.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)23-29
Number of pages7
JournalActa Oto-Laryngologica
Volume111
Issue numberS483
DOIs
StatePublished - 1991

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This work was supported by a Grant-in-aid for General Scientific Research (B) 62480355 from the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture of Japan.

Keywords

  • Eustachian tube obstruction
  • Experimental otitis media
  • Lysosomal proteases
  • Mucous glycoprotein

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