Immunohistochemical identification of T- and B-lymphocytes delineated by the unlabelled antibody enzyme method. III. Topographical and quantitative distribution of T- and B-cells in human palatine tonsils.
T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes are identified in tissue sections of human tonsils by applying the unlabelled antibody enzyme method. The epithelium of the tonsils contains a majority of immunoglobulin-positive cells and fewer T-lymphocytes. In the subepithelial zones, areas composed of B-cells predominate, however, regions containing T-lymphocytes are also present. The latter are mainly arranged in the lamina propria around high-endothelial venules and often include plasma cells containing immunoglobulin. Follicles containing germinal centres display a complex structure which changes during development. The lymphocytic cap consists of densely packed lymphocytes, labelled heavily by anti-IgM and anti-IGD, and of individual T-lymphocytes. Germinal centres show a framework of immunoglobulin-positive dendritic reticular cells; they contain some heavily labelled lymphoid cells and several cells weakly labelled by anti-IgM and anti-IgA, as well as a small number of T-lymphocytes. Furthermore, the total areas of T- and B-lymphocytes measured by planimetry may differ considerably between different tonsils. Especially total areas of germinal centres vary to a great extent. The quantitative data on amounts of T- and B-cells achieved by planimetry are comparable to those reported in cellular suspensions of tonsils.
D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000032:analysis* / Q000166:cytology; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007072:Immunoglobulin D / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000166:cytology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000032:analysis* / Q000166:cytology
D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007072:Immunoglobulin D; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M