IMMUNOCYTOCHEMICAL STUDY OF PROTEOGLYCANS IN VOCAL FOLDS

We evaluated the proteoglycan composition of normal vocal folds using immunocytochemical techniques. Frozen sections of 14 normal cadaveric vocal folds were obtained within 12 hours of death and sectioned immed iately. Vocal fold sections were stained with antibodies against kerat an sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG), decorin, and hyaluronate receptor. We found that the lamina propria ha s diffuse staining of fibrillar components with keratan sulfate and de corin. Intense staining was observed in the vocal ligament area with k eratan sulfate. The HSPG was localized to the basement membrane zone. Chondroitin sulfate, HSPG, and hyaluronate receptor were detected in t he cytoplasm of interstitial cells with immunocytochemical characteris tics of macrophages. The keratan sulfate distribution suggests that fi bromodulin may be significant in normal vocal folds. Production of HSP G and probably versican occurs in macrophages and fibroblasts in the l amina propria.