Introduction:
Cholesteatoma is a proliferative disease of the middle ear with bone resorption activity.
Its pathogenesis remains controversial and has yet to be clarified. Cytokeratins represent
a well-known epithelial proliferative and differentiation markers. In the current
study, we investigated expression of a large set of cytokeratins in cholesteatoma
matrix versus deep meatal skin tissues from the same patients.
Methodology:
An immunohistochemical study was carried out using acquired cholesteatoma (n = 15)
and deep meatal skin tissues (n = 6). Mouse monoclonal antibodies were used against
cytokeratin 5/6 (CK5/6), cytokeratin HMW (CKHMW), Cytokeratin 10 (CK10), Cytokeratin
14 (CK14) and Cytokeratin19 (CK19). The indirect immunoperoxidase method for immunostaining
was employed. Both pattern and intensity of expression of those cytokeratins were
evaluated and compared in cholesteatoma and skin tissues.
Results:
With the exception of CK19, all studied cytokeratins were expressed in cholesteatoma
matrix and epidermis of meatal skin. In addition, a typical pattern of expression
was observed between both tissues. No significant difference in the intensity of expression
was found (p > 0.05). CK HMW and CK5/6 were expressed in all layers of cholesteatoma
epithelium and meatal skin. CK10 was expressed in suprabasal keratinocytes whereas
CK14 was expressed in basal, parabasal and to lesser extent in suprabasal cholesteatoma
and skin layers.
Conclusions:
Cytokeratins are similar in their distribution in both skin and cholesteatoma tissues.
These findings support the immigration theory and confirm the proliferative nature
of cholesteatoma. However, more research is needed to clarify how this knowledge can
affect the future management of acquired cholesteatoma.
