Acute otitis media (AOM) and viral upper respiratory tract infections (URIs) represent the two most common diseases affecting the human population, and account for substantial patient morbidity and health care costs. Epidemiological and experimental studies suggest that URIs play a causal role in the pathogenesis of AOM. Specifically, viruses can invade the middle ear (ME) space and invoke an inflammatory response that culminates in ME effusion (fluid) formation and consequent symptoms (pain, hearing loss). The molecular events responsible for the inflammatory response of the human ME following viral exposure have not been characterized. Studies using viral inoculation of nasal and tracheobronchial tissues suggest that the initiating inflammatory events are epithelium-mediated through local cytokine production. Since the ME normally does not contain aggregates of leukocytes, it is likely that the initiating events in viral otitis media are epithelium-mediated as well. The long-term goal of the present study is to investigate the ME mucosal response(s) to viral exposure in an effort to better understand the initiating events in AOM. Such knowledge will help develop new therapies for this significant disease. The goals of this project are to: (1) perform influenza A viral challenge experiments in the laboratory's normal ME epithelial cell culture system and measure expression of the interleukin (IL,)-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha genes using reverse transcriptase- polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), in situ hybridization, and enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assays (ELISA); (2) evaluate the same cytokine responses in ME epithelial cells derived from """"""""otitis-prone"""""""" individuals; and (3) evaluate the efficacy of several potentially inhibitory substances in these models. The results of these experiments will provide a better understanding of the initiating events in viral otitis media and, hopefully, will lead to the development of novel therapies for this disease. Successful completion of this award by the principal investigator (PI) will provide the added research training and career development for future large-scale studies as an independent investigator.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Type
Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (K23)
Project #
5K23DC000187-05
Application #
6755011
Study Section
Communication Disorders Review Committee (CDRC)
Program Officer
Sklare, Dan
Project Start
2000-07-01
Project End
2005-06-30
Budget Start
2004-07-01
Budget End
2005-06-30
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2004
Total Cost
$193,619
Indirect Cost
Name
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Department
Otolaryngology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
608195277
City
Chapel Hill
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27599
Levine, Joshua; Buchman, Craig A; Fregien, Nevis (2003) Influenza A virus infection of human Schwann cells in vitro. Acta Otolaryngol 123:41-5
Jassir, David; Odabasi, Onur; Gomez-Marin, Orlando et al. (2003) Dose-response relationship of topically applied mitomycin C for the prevention of laser myringotomy closure. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 129:471-4
Eshraghi, Adrien A; Buchman, Craig A; Telischi, Fred F (2002) Sensory auricular branch of the facial nerve. Otol Neurotol 23:393-6
Jassir, D; Buchman, C A; Gomez-Marin, O (2001) Safety and efficacy of topical mitomycin C in myringotomy patency. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 124:368-73