Spiral ligament fibrocytes release chemokines in response to otitis media pathogens.

Conclusion: Spiral ligament fibrocytes (SLFs) may be involved in the innate immune response of the inner ear by producing chemoattractants for recruiting inflammatory cells such as neutrophils and monocytes.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the cellular responses of SLFs when challenged by inflammatory stimuli such as components of otitis media pathogens or proinflammatory cytokines.

Materials And Methods: To detect released inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, cells were treated for 48 h with whole lysates of nontypable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi), Streptococcus pneumoniae, or with interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1alpha).