Vitamin A-storing Stellate Cells in the Human Vocal Fold

Abstract

Objective--Previously, we discovered cells with a star-like appearance that constantly synthesized extracellular matrices in the human adult vocal fold mucosa. These cells had no nomenclature and were thus designated "vocal fold stellate cells (VFSC)". The aim of the present study was to detect vitamin A (retinol) in the VFSC. Material and methods--Five normal human adult vocal folds obtained from surgical specimens were used. Light microscopy using the gold chloride method and fluorescence microscopy were used to detect vitamin A. Results--VFSC distributed in the maculae flavae of human adult vocal folds possessed lipid droplets and stored vitamin A. Conclusion--It is generally accepted that vitamin A, an essential liposoluble vitamin, is used as a morphogen that controls the differentiation and morphogenesis of cells. In our previous investigation and in this study VFSC were found to differ morphologically from conventional fibroblasts. VFSC represent morphologically a new category of cells in the human vocal fold.