Apoptosis of tonsillar lymphocytes

• Published in: Stomato-pharyngology Vol. 9; no. 3; pp. 431 - 436
• Main Authors: Kimura, Takaaki, Hotomi, Muneki, Yoda, Jun'ichi, Saito, Tadahito, Kuki, Kiyonori, Yokoyama, Michiaki, Yamanaka, Noboru
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Japan Society of Stomato-pharyngology 1997
• Subjects: apoptosis; Fas; tonsillar lymphocytes
• ISSN: 0917-5105; 1884-4316
• DOI: 10.14821/stomatopharyngology1989.9.431

Apoptosis of tonsillar lymphocytes plays an important role in the ethiology of several tonsillar diseases. We cultured tonsillar lymphocytes, and investigated Fas antigen positivity by flow cytometric analysis. Specimens of palatine tonsils were obtained from 9 patients who underwent tonsillectomy in our department. Three cases were diagnosed as non-inflammatory tonsillar diseases such as tonsillar hypertrophy (group A), and six cases were diagnosed as recurrent tonsillitis (group B). The patients had a mean age of 35.0 years, with a range of 6 to 72 years. The Fas positivity of group B was statistically higher than that of group A, but the reactivity for SPEA (Streptococcal Pyrogenic Exotoxin-A; a superantigen derived from Streptococcus pyogenes) was weaker than that for SEB (Staphylococcal Enterotoxin-B; superantigen derived from Staphylococcus aureus). Mean while, the age was inversely proportional to the positivity of Fas, and the lymphocytes from hypertrophic tonsil expressed Fas antigen more strongly than that from withered tonsil. It seems that both the size and change in aging of palatine tonsils is affected by the apoptosis of tonsillar lymphocytes.