BENIGN PATHOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF THE LARYNX

Benign laryngeal lesions were examined for patterns of injury indicate d by deposition of fibronectin and collagen type IV. An immunoperoxida se technique was used to compare 33 fresh or paraffin-embedded tissues with regard to their staining of monoclonal antibodies directed again st fibronectin and collagen type IV. Two types of patterns were recogn ized. One pattern showed intense fibronectin deposition in the superfi cial layer of the lamina propria, often coupled with basement membrane zone injury, indicated by thick collagen type IV bands. The other pat tern showed rare basement membrane zone injury and very little fibrone ctin deposition. The first pattern correlated more with nodules, the s econd pattern more with Reinke's edema and some polyps. A better under standing of the effects of excessive deposition of structural glycopro teins such as fibronectin and of abnormal proteoglycan deposition may lead to a better characterization of vocal fold disease and its causat ion and, ultimately, better treatment.