Human Leukocyte Antigens in Patients with Inner Ear Diseases of Unknown Etiology

Abstract

The immune response genes that control the immune response and recognition of ‘self’ from ‘nonself’ are closely linked with the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) complex. Sixty-six HLA antigens were typed in 42 Caucasian patients with inner ear diseases of unknown etiology. All of these patients had positive serum antibodies against the inner ear structures as detected by an indirect immunofluorescence assay. Results revealed that none of the 66 HLA antigens was associated with the inner ear diseases. Reviewing results from other studies on HLA association in inner ear diseases shows that the findings are inconsistent with each other. The conclusion that HLA associations occur with inner ear diseases cannot be reached.

The Role of Autoimmunity in the Pathogenesis of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

“…Increasing experimental evidence suggesting an autoimmune component in the pathology of SSHL has emerged since 1979 when McCabe first identified 18 patients with autoimmune-associated SSHL who were effectively medicated with glucocorticoid and vincristine [ 14 ]. The presence of antibodies against the inner ear 68 kDa antigen and the recovery of hearing after immunosuppressive therapy have further confirmed the immune-mediated mechanism of hearing loss [ 15 – 18 ]. Immunohistochemistry and other techniques have been used to show that immune cells, including lymphocytes, leukocytes, and macrophages, are present in the inner ear as well as to analyze the interactions between these immune cells [ 19 – 22 ].…”

HLA-Antigene bei Kindern und Jugendlichen mit beidseitiger Schallempfindungs-schwerhörigkeit

“…Innenohrschwerhörigkeiten unklarer Genese mit verschiedenen Verlaufsformen, Morbus Meniere, Neuropathia vestibularis, Otosklerose, Behyet-Syndrom und Cogan-Syndrom. Die Literaturangaben hierzu sind wi dersprüchlich [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22].…”