Immunohistochemical detection of serous cells in nasal mucosa with monoclonal antibody against a component in human nasal secretion.

Abstract

Secreting mechanisms of secretory cells in nasal mucosa and the changes of nasal secretions in chronic inflammatory sinusitis have been studied by the biochemical and histochemical methods. These methods could not clarify the changes of quality and quantity of nasal secretions and secretory cells. In order to obtain the specific marker for the secretions in different cells, we have produced monoclonal antibodies against a component in human nasal discharge. One antibody was selected for further characterization, because it stained submucosal serous cells specifically. This antibody stained the components of serous cells with molecular weight of 14 kD specifically, and was sensitive to periodate oxidation treatment. This antibody will be useful for detecting the subpopulation in secretory cells of human nasal mucosa, and may be serve as a biochemical probe for secretory activity of particular secretory cell types.