[Angiogenesis in cholesteatoma of the middle ear].

Middle ear cholesteatoma is characterized by the presence of a keratinizing squamous epithelium with hyperproliferative features. Such growth can only be supported by abundant blood vessels. The presence and distribution of blood vessels in cholesteatoma was studied to determine the mechanisms responsible for its origin and maintenance.

Alteration of epidermal differentiation in middle ear cholesteatoma.

This immunohistologic study was undertaken to compare the localization of markers of epidermal differentiation in cholesteatoma and normal external ear canal skin. Both basal cells and suprabasal cell layers of cholesteatoma exhibit an abnormal distribution of differentiation markers (involucrin, filaggrin, glycoproteins detected by monoclonal antibodies J143 [alpha3 integrin chain] and T16 [Trop-2]). The immunostaining intensity of filaggrin and involucrin was higher in cholesteatoma than in external ear canal skin.

Profile of anti-stratum corneum autoantibodies in patients with aural cholesteatoma.

The stratum corneum (SC) antibodies are present in high titers in the sera of patients who have diseases in which cells containing keratin intermediate filaments have been damaged. Aural cholesteatoma is a skin-related disease of the temporal bone with an extensive production and accumulation of keratinizing epithelium in the middle ear. The aim of the present investigation was to study the humoral immune response to SC in these patients.

Correlation of vascular morphology with clinical types in cholesteatoma of the middle ear.

Cholesteatoma is characterized by the presence of hyperproliferative keratinizing squamous epithelium in the middle ear cavity. The abundance and morphology of blood vessels in the stroma of cholesteatoma was investigated using a monoclonal antibody against an endothelial cell marker, factor VIII-related antigen. Normal skin sections were stained for comparison.

Hyperproliferation-associated keratin expression in human middle ear cholesteatoma.

Cholesteatoma is characterized by the presence of a squamous epithelium invading the middle ear altering its growth properties. This epithelium is believed to have hyperproliferative properties. Keratin 16 is accepted as a molecular marker for hyperproliferative epithelia.