Localization of E and EAC binding lymphocytes in human tonsils

Theoretical and clinical aspects of the tonsillar function

A general review of the state of the art in tonsillar function research is given. A proliferation of B lymphocytes, evoked by antigens and/or polyclonal activators, occurs in the tonsil. Such a process, i.e. the supply of B cells to the organism facilitating a number of immune reactions, is to be considered the main function of the tonsil. The formation of antibodies must be regarded as a by-effect caused by an intratonsillar defence mechanism; it is helpful in safeguarding the structural and functional integrity of the organ. A model of the tonsil on the basis of cybernetics is derived from the results obtained and from the histological structure of the organ. Tonsillar involution is characterized by a decline in B cell proliferation, eventually leading to a weakening of the intratonsillar defence mechanism. Genetic disposition and defective functioning of the intratonsillar defence mechanism are discussed as pathogenetic factors in tonsillitis.

Particularity of local immunity in the nasopharynx. Parallel study of surface receptors and cell-mediated immune responses in cells derived from palatine or pharyngeal tonsils and blood

Immunological functions of the pharyngeal tonsil, palatine tonsils and blood leucocytes of children undergoing tonsillectomy were evaluated by determining T or B lymphocytes, the response to mitogens, and the cell-mediated immunological responses to tuberculin. In all the test systems used similar results were obtained with cells derived from either the palatine or pharyngeal tonsils. The mean percentage of T lymphocytes was significantly higher in the peripheral blood than in tonsils, but the reverse was true of B lymphocytes. The reaction to PHA was lower in tonsillar cell culture than in blood cell culture, but tonsillar cells reacted better to Con A than blood cells. In lymphocyte transformation tests tonsillar cells reacted to specific antigen (tuberculin) and this reaction was significantly higher than that of the parallelly tested blood lymphocytes. Further, in about 50% of the children tested, tuberculin caused migration inhibition of the mixture containing tonsillar cells and guinea pig peritoneal cells. Surprisingly, nearly identical results were obtained if migration inhibition test was performed with tonsillar cells alone. Consequently, poorly migrating tonsillar cells are nevertheless usable for direct migration inhibition testing.