Antibody Production in Human Tonsil—Detection of Antibody Forming Cell, and Antigen Binding Cell to Dermatophagoides Farinae

Specific immune response of the adenoids to a respiratory antigen

The specific antibody response of the adenoids to a respiratory antigen was investigated, both in vitro and in vivo. The in vitro immunoglobulin (Ig) production of adenoidal and tonsillar lymphocytes in the same patient in 18 cases was measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Adenoidal lymphocytes produced more IgM than IgG or IgA under culture conditions without any mitogens, whereas IgG was the major Ig produced by tonsillar lymphocytes. The same results were obtained when cultured with pokeweed mitogen. Under culture conditions with Dermatophagoides farinae (mite) antigen, adenoidal lymphocytes produced only specific IgM class antibody, and at a level significantly greater than tonsillar lymphocytes. Through an in vivo study, we established experimental adenoidal tissue in the guinea pig by long-term exposure to an ovalbumin aerosol. Infiltration of cells producing the specific antibody against an ovalbumin was demonstrated in the epipharyngeal mucosa using immunofluorescent staining. Our results confirm that the adenoids play a role in specific immune responses to respiratory antigens.

T cell subsets in the tonsil in relation to age analyzed with monoclonal antibodies (anti-leu antibodies) and fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS)

The ratio of the cells reacting to anti-leu 1, 3a and 4 antibodies is as low as that of T cells in the tonsil to those in the peripheral blood. The number of the tonsillar cells reacting to anti-leu 2a and 7 antibodies is still smaller. Fluorescence intensity of tonsillar lymphocytes reacting to leu (1, 2a, 3a, and 4) antibodies is lower than that of peripheral blood lymphocytes. Adult tonsillar lymphocytes have higher ratios of the cells reacting to anti-leu 1, 2a, 3a, 4 and 7 antibodies than child tonsillar lymphocytes and fluorescence intensity of the cells reacting to these anti-leu antibodies tended to be higher in adult tonsillar lymphocytes. These findings suggest less cytotoxic/suppressor T and NK/K function cells in the tonsil than in the peripheral blood. From these, it is conceivable that the tonsillar lymphocyte constitution becomes closer to that of peripheral blood as the child grows up. Further, immature T cells are present in the tonsil, though in a small number. This tendency is stronger in children than in adults.

Characterization of clinical tonsil stages by their T-cell count. Immunopathological description of tonsils after a peritonsillar abscess

The T-cell counts in five different clinical tonsil stages are compared. No particularities were observed, with the exception of the condition after a peritonsillar abscess. The differences existing between the individual groups are discussed as age-dependent. A considerable increase in T-cells is found in the abscess tonsil compared with other tonsils and the T-cell count in blood. Its pathomechanism is discussed.

Cell fractionation and cytological analysis of human lymphatic cells from tonsil and blood

No differences could be detected in the discontinuous density gradient when comparing the distribution pattern of tonsillar cells and peripheral lymphocytes. When the Kiel nomenclature is applied, the presence of centrocytes, centroblasts, lymphocytes and plasma cells in the tonsil is shown by a cytological analysis. The biological importance of these results is discussed from the point of cellular proliferation and tonsillar function.