Title and Copyright:
Nasal Defense, ©2005.

Media:
Adobe Illustrator.

Collaborator:
Robert Kern, MD. Department of Otolaryngology– Head and Neck Surgery, Northwestern University; Chicago, Illinois.

Description:
Defense mechanisms in the nasal epithelium consist of a three tiered program. First, active and passive barrier defenses shield the epithelilium from attack. Second, pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) such as the Toll Receptor Family recognize damage and damage. Third, PRR stimulation activates innate and acquired defenses to respond. The ultimate acquired response (Th1 or Th2) is dependent on the nature and site of injury.

Adapted from Figure 4, “Defense mechanisms in epithelial cells.” In: Cookson W. The immunogenetics of asthma and eczema: a new focus on the epithelium. Nature Rev 2004;4:978-88.

Published as:
Kern RC, Seiberling KA, Conley DB, Haines K, Tripathi A, Walsh WE, Schleimer RP, Grammer LC. Fungi, staphylococci and the etiology of chronic rhinosinusitis. Am J Rhinology (submitted).

Kern RC (presenter), Seiberling KA, Conley DB, Haines K, Tripathi A, Walsh WE, Schleimer RP, Grammer LC. Fungi, staphylococci and the etiology of chronic rhinosinusitis. American Rhinologic Society, Combined Spring Otolaryngology Meetings; Boca Raton, FL: May 14, 2005.