Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation in Relapsing Polychondritis
Richard K. Burt, Alberto M. Marmont in Stem Cell Therapy for Autoimmune Disease, 2019
Relapsing polychondritis is a rare multisystem autoimmune disorder of unknown etiology that was first described by Jaksch-Wartenhorst in 1923. 1 It is an episodic and progressive inflammatory disease of the cartilaginous structures, including the elastic cartilage of the ear and nose, the hyaline cartilage of peripheral joints, the fibrocartilage at axial sites, and cartilaginous structures of the tracheobronchial tree. Inflammation of other proteoglycan-rich structures such as the eyes, heart, blood vessels, inner ear, and kidneys may also occur. Since relapsing polychondritis was first described, more than 300 cases of the disease have been reported. The diagnosis is based on the clinical findings and may be confirmed histologically by biopsy of the affected ear. The disease is treated by corticosteroids and immunsuppressive agents. Here, we report on a woman suffering from refractory relapsing polychondritis whom we successfully treated by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), resulting in a long-term remission which has lasted for 55 months now. We, therefore, conclude that ASCT may be of therapeutic benefit to patients with relapsing polychondritis who failed to respond to conventional therapy. Eligibility criteria for ASCT in relapsing polychondritis are discussed.
Clinical anatomy
James Russell Tysome, Rahul Kanegaonkar in ENT: An Introduction and Practical Guide, 2012
This elaborate mechanism has evolved to overcome the loss of acoustic energy that occurs when transferring sound from one medium to another (impedance mismatch), in this case from air to fl uid. The pinna consists largely of elastic cartilage over which the skin is tightly adherent (Figure 1.1). The cartilage is dependent on the overlying perichondrium for its nutritional support; hence separation of this layer from the cartilage by a haematoma, abscess or infl ammation secondary to piercing may result in cartilage necrosis resulting in permanent deformity (caulifl ower ear). The lobule, in contrast, is a fi bro-fatty skin tag.
- Isolation of Primary Chondrocytes from Bovine Articular Cartilage
Melissa Kurtis Micou, Dawn Kilkenny in A Laboratory Course in Tissue Engineering, 2013
Hyaline cartilage is found in the nasal septum, sternum, trachea, larynx, and on the articulating surfaces of long bones, where it is referred to as articular cartilage. Articular cartilage distributes loads and functions as a bearing surface in joints such as the hip and knee. The ECM of hyaline cartilage is composed primarily of collagen type II and is rich in proteoglycans. Elastic cartilage is present in the epiglottis, external ear, and larynx. The ECM of elastic cartilage contains elastin and collagen type II with less proteoglycan than hyaline cartilage. Fibrocartilage is found in the intervertebral disc, the meniscus of the knee, and at the insertion of ligaments and tendons. The ECM of ¦brocartilage is composed primarily of collagen type I.
Fine Structure Of—And Some Histochemical Observations On—Chondroid Regions of Benign Mixed Parotid Tumours
Published in Acta Oto-Laryngologica, 1982
Gunnar D. Bloom, Bengt Carlsouou, Herman Diamant, Johan Thyberg
Seven cases of mixed parotid tumour were studied at the light—and of these, three—at the electron microscopical level. In the latter group, special attention was paid to the fine structure of the chondroid regions of the tumours. The chondroid regions showed a typical cartilage fine structure—of greater interest was the finding that this tissue was a mixed type of both hyaline and elastic cartilage. This was evident with respect to both cell and extracellular matrix. Two cell types were found: (A) cells similar to cells of hyaline cartilage and (B) cells resembling cells shown to be involved in synthesis of elastic fibres (elastic tendon fibroblasts, elastic cartilage chondrocytes and arterial smooth muscle cells). As in normal calcifying cartilage the chondroid regions contain numerous membrane-delimited matrix vesicles. However, mineral deposits within the latter were rare, indicating either a suppressed tendency towards mineralization of a lower stage of tissue maturation at which the mineralization process has not yet started.
Histology of Laryngeal Mucosa
Published in Acta Oto-Laryngologica, 1997
Štiblar-MartinČiČ D. Histology of laryngeal mucosa. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh) 1997; Suppl 527: 138-141. The larynx is a complex tubular segment of the respiratory system formed by irregularly shaped plates of hyaline and elastic cartilage. The mucosa form two pairs of folds, false and true vocal cords, which extend into the lumen of the larynx. The laryngeal epithelium corresponding to the mechanically exposed areas consists of stratified squamous nonkeratinized epithelium. Suprabasally in this epithelium, dendritic antigen-presenting Langerhans cells (LCs) can be found. In the rest of the larynx, the epithelium is ciliated columnar pseudostratified with a rich population of goblet cells. Except in the true vocal cords, lamina propria consists of rather loose connective tissue and contains groups of small. branched tubuloalveolar glands.
Tracheopathia Osteoplastica
Published in Acta Oto-Laryngologica, 1967
Two histologically examined cases of tracheopathia osteoplastica are reported. A metaplastic change of the respiratory epithelium into squamous epithelium was found. The elastic cartilage in the nodules probably also arises through metaplasia from the elastic connective tissue. The cartilage later undergoes calcification and ossification.
Related Knowledge Centers
- Cartilage
- External Ear
- Hyaline Cartilage
- Epiglottis
- Ear Auricle
- Elastic Fibers
- Fibrillar Collagen