Frequency and Distribution of Lymphocytes Related to Innate Immunity in Palatine Tonsils and Adenoids / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Palatine tonsils and adenoids protect the human body from various pathogens entering through the pharyngeal mucosa. Many studies have been performed for the specific immunity, but the innate immunity related to cell-mediated immunity has been rarely studied. Natural killer (NK) cells, CD5+ B lymphocytes, and gamma sigma T lymphocytes are the key mediators of natural immunity. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of lymphocytes related to the innate immunity property in these lymphoid tissues by examinig the frequency and distribution of these cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Palatine tonsils and adenoids were obtained from 12 children and 5 adults with idiopathic tonsillar hypertrophy. Immunohistochemisty was performed to examine the distribution of the CD5+ B lymphocytes, gamma sigma T lymphocytes and NK cells, and the flow cytometry was performed for the frequency of these cells compared with that of the patient's blood. RESULTS: On immunohistochemistry, CD5+ B cells were strongly stained mainly on the interfollicular and subepithelial areas of both the palatine tonsil and adenoid. But, gamma sigma T lymphocytes, and CD56+ cells were weakly stained on the interfollicular, epithelial, and subepithelial areas of both lymphoid tissues. Flow cytometry showed no difference in the frequency of CD5+CD19+ B cells and CD3+ gamma sigma T lymphocytes in these tissues compared to that of the blood. The frequency of NK cells of these tissues was much lower than that of the blood. And the frequency of CD3+ gamma sigma T lymphocytes of adults was lower than that of children in both the palatine tonsils and blood. CONCLUSION: In the palatine tonsils and adenoids, there were no active immune cells related to innate immunity, except for the CD5+ B lymphocytes in the non-stimulating state. And the innate immunity of the lymphoid tissues has possibility of association with the changing activity according to age.