[Immunohistochemical study of inferior turbinate of nasal allergy with reference to eosinophils].

The number and distribution of EG1 positive cells, EG2 positive cells, MBP positive cells and EPO positive cells of the nasal mucosa were studied in nasal allergy. The correlation between the EG2 positive cells and subjective symptoms, the number of eosinophils in serum, the number of eosinophils in nasal secretion, the serum IgE level and the RAST score was studied. Subjects for EG2 were 13 males and 7 females ranging from 10 to 43 years of age, for EG1 they were 2 males and 3 females ranging from 18 to 43 years of age, and for MBP and EPO they were 3 males and 2 females ranging from 10 to 43 years of age. The specimens from inferior turbinates were frozen at -70 degrees C and sliced at a thickness of 4 microns by cryostat. Monoclonal antibodies and peroxidase-antiperoxidase staining (DAKO) were used to detect these cells. EG1 positive cells, EG2 positive cells, MBP positive cells and EPO positive cells were found mainly in the superficial layer, with some in the epithelial layer. However, damage to the epithelium was not related to the infiltration of EG2. No damage to the basement membrane was found. The number and distribution of EG1 positive cells and EG2 positive cells were almost the same. This means that eosinophils seen in the nasal mucosa have been activated. The number of EG2 positive cells was well correlated with the degree of nasal obstruction and serum IgE level. From the results, activated eosinophils were thought to be related to the late phase response of nasal allergy.