REDUCTION OF INNER-EAR INFLAMMATION BY TREATMENT WITH ANTI-ICAM-1 ANTIBODY

The in vivo effect of systemic administration of monoclonal antibody ( mAb) against ICAM-1 (alpha ICAM-1) in experimental immune-mediated lab yrinthitis was evaluated. The alpha ICAM-1-treated rats showed reduced inflammatory cell infiltration in the scala tympani and the perisaccu lar tissue of the endolymphatic sac. However, with this experimental p aradigm, labyrinthitis could not be completely abolished, These findin gs suggest that ICAM-1-dependent pathways play an important role in th e series of immunologic events occurring in the inner ear, and that th e use of ICAM-1 antagonist may be a possible therapeutic approach to l abyrinthitis.