Cathepsin Gene Expression Profile in Rat Acute Pneumococcal Otitis Media

Abstract

The constitutive expression of Ctsk and Ctsl messenger RNA in normal middle ear mucosa supports a function in the maintenance of middle ear mucosa homeostasis, and their downregulation as an early event in acute otitis media may reflect a disruption in that function. The induction of Ctsb messenger RNA in the infected middle ear mucosa suggests a role in early tissue injury; thus, Ctsb may represent a potential target for molecular diagnostics and/or rational intervention during the development of acute otitis media.