Antigen Presenting Cells in the Palatine Tonsils and Adenoids / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

The functions of the palatine tonsils and adenoids have been investigated for many years, but there are still a lot of debates on their immunological roles. The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of the antigen presenting cells in the palatine tonsils and adenoids, and to reveal their possible association with middle ear effusion. Tissues were collected from 18 pediatric patients who underwent tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. In 8 of 18 cases, middle ear effusions were coexistent. The immunohistochemical staining using monoclonal antibodies, major histocompatibility complex(MHC) class II, CD1a, CD35, intercellular adhesion molecule(ICAM)-1 and B7 were done. In 10 cases of them, the cells which express MHC class II and ICAM-1 molecules were quantified by flow cytometry. The distribution patterns of the antigen presenting cells between the palatine tonsils and adenoids were not so different, but CD1a-positive cells were more abundant in the tonsils than in the adenoids. Middle ear effusion had no effects on the distribution of the antigen presenting cells in the tonsils and adenoids. Our data suggested both of the palatine tonsils and adenoids might have the same immunological roles, but the tonsils are more active in the antigen-recognizing stage than the adenoids.