Nasopharyngeal tonsil's provision of the surface secretions with immunocytes, a property additional to antigen processing.
As we recently found that IgA, IgM, and IgG are produced and secreted by immunocytes present in nasopharyngeal secretions, we tested the hypothesis that B- and T-lymphocytes in the surface secretions are derived from the nasopharyngeal tonsil in an active process. By immunohistochemistry, we found that numerous B- and T-lymphocytes were often accumulated in restricted areas in the epithelium, and some of these cells were demonstrated just beneath the epithelial surface or could be observed protruding into the lumen. A portion of these cells were Ki-67+, indicating clonal expansion and/or immunoglobulin class switching. Analyses of the surface secretions by immunocytochemistry also demonstrated B- and T-lymphocytes, as well as Ki-67+ cells--a finding that indicates that immunologically active cells are transported into the surface secretions. The results imply that there is a substantial migration from the nasopharyngeal tonsil of immunologically active cells into the surface secretions.
Ivarsson
M
M
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden.
Lundberg
C
C
D000233:Adenoidectomy; D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal / Q000276:immunology; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000276:immunology / Q000601:surgery; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000276:immunology / Q000601:surgery; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D007136:Immunoglobulins; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen