Age dependency of the composition of immunocompetent cells and the expression of adhesion molecules in rat laryngeal mucosa

Clinical evidence shows that laryngeal infections in infants differ significantly from those in adults. Therefore, the composition of the mucosal immune system (granulocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, natural killer cells, and T and B lymphocytes) and the epithelial expression of class II-MHC molecules and adhesion molecules ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin were studied in the larynx of newborn, 5-week-old, and 3-year-old rats. With the exception of macrophages, the immunocompetent cells began to immigrate into the laryngeal mucosa after birth, indicating that the laryngeal mucosa in newborn rats is immature. In contrast, ICAM-1 was already expressed. The number of immunocompetent cells and the expression of epithelial class II-MHC and ICAM-1 increased with age. Immunocompetent cells and epithelial class II-MHC and ICAM-1 expression were mainly detected in the subglottic region, but were almost absent in the vocal fold region.