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The origin of airway secretion is thought to be in the seromucous glands, goblet cells, transudation from capillary secretions and cell debris from leucocytes. We demonstrated that ciliated airway epithelial cells have chloride channel activities and can secrete chloride ions after administration of isoproterenol, ATP, UTP and acetylcholine using the patch-clamp technique. The activated chloride channel activities were significantly inhibited by macrolide. We concluded that the periciliary layer of low viscosity in which the cilia beat may originated with the ciliated epithelial cell themselves.

Otolaryngologists or allergologists, have only recently become familiar with the term laryngeal allergy or allergic laryngitis. However, laryngeal allergies have become increasingly noteworthy with increases in allergic diseases, such as nasal allergies, asthma and atopic dermatitis. Pollinosis patients allergic to Japanese cedar often complain of itching or the sensation of a foreign body in the larynx, in addition persistent coughing or soreness of the throat. The existence of laryngeal allergy was proven on the basis of study in rats sensitized with Japanese cedar pollen, in previous studies. In the present paper were view the nature, mechanisms, manifestations, differential diagnosis and treatment of laryngeal allergy, both fundamentally and clinically.

Background An increase in Japanese cedar pollen counts is the probable reason for the increase in the number of Japanese cedar hay fever patients. To determine whether local antigen exposure dose affects sensitization with cedar pollen, we compared serum levels of specific IgE antibody in rats exposed to higher and lower doses of cedar pollen antigen through the nose. Methods Serum levels of cedar pollen-specific IgE antibody was examined in Brown Norway rats exposed to a higher dose of (20 μg) Cry j I, a lower dose (2 μg) of Cry j I or no dose for 6 months. Serum levels of cedar pollen-specific IgE antibody were measured by reverse IgE-capture ELISA. The extent of local eosinophilia in the nasal, laryngeal and tracheal mucosa of rats exposed higher and lower doses of cedar pollen antigen and controls were observed microscopically. Results The mean serum levels of specific IgE antibody in rats exposed to the higher dose were significantly higher than those in rats exposed to the lower dose, and the mean levels in rats in the lower-dose group were significantly higher than in controls. The extent of eosinophilia in the nasal mucosa in the higher-dose group was significantly greater than in controls, but no significant differences between the lower-dose group and controls were found. The extent of eosinophilia in the laryngeal mucosa in the higher-dose group was significantly greater than that in the lower-dose group and in controls. Only a small degree of eosinophilia was observed in the trachea of all three groups. Conclusions Local exposure dose of the upper airway to cedar pollen may affect sensitization.