Immunological role of human palatine tonsil in Epstein-Barr virus persistence.
To determine whether EBV-specific cellular immunity persists and controls EBV in the palatine tonsil, we compared EBV-specific cellular immune responses in the palatine tonsil and peripheral blood. In 32 EBV-seropositive donors, we performed in vitro growth inhibition assays of EBV-induced B-lymphocyte transformation (regression assay). The results showed that EBV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) precursor frequency was higher in the palatine tonsil than in the peripheral blood. After a first stimulation with autologous lymphoblastoid cell line (LCL), the EBV-specific cytotoxicity of reactivated CTL was higher in the palatine tonsil than in the peripheral blood. Furthermore EBV-specific CTL lines established from the palatine tonsil had significantly higher EBV-specific cytotoxicity in comparison with those from the peripheral blood. Both the EBV-specific CTLs from tonsils and peripheral blood were restricted by HLA class-I determinants. These data indicate that the palatine tonsil, which is frequently exposed to EBV, plays an important role in controlling EBV infection in the oropharynx.
Hirao
M
M
Department of Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan.
Harabuchi
Y
Y
Kataura
A
A
Imai
S
S
Osato
T
T
D000328:Adult; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology*