Professional Documents
Culture Documents
TONSILS
1. Weldeyer’s ring
Immunological role:
early recognition of antigen
initiation of an immune response.
LYMPHOID COMPARTMENTS OF PALATINE TONSIL
Surface epithelium
Mantle zone
Secondary lymphoid
follicle
Extrafollicular
region
B cell
HEV
T cell
Lymph vessel
CELLS IN TONSIL
SSE: stratified squamous epithel, CT: connective tissue, LN: lymphatic nodule
THE FUNCTION OF INTRAEPITHELIAL
LYMPHOCYTES
IMMUNOLOGY PROCESS IN THE TONSIL
1. Transportation of
antigen by M cells or
dendritic cells (DC) to
the extrafollicular areas
2. Activation of T cells in
the extrafollicular area
APC: Interdigitating
DC
(IDC)
LYMPHOCYTE MIGRATION/TRAFFICKING
circulation TONSIL
H
E
V
lymphatic
DOGMA:
Decreased J-chain expression by tonsilar B
cells
reduce sIg A levels in saliva
HOWEVER, IMMUNOLOGICAL ACTIVITY PERSISTS
EVEN IN DISEASED TONSILS AND ADENOIDS IN
CHILDREN
Ig producing cells/mm2
Age (years)
EFFECT OF ADENOTONSILECTOMY ON
HUMORAL IMMUNITY
In children
Reduce the level of IgA antibody to poliovirus 3-4
times in the nasopharyngeal secretions
Delay the local immune response to subsequent live
oral polio vaccine
Decrease serum Ig and salivary IgA for up to 3-4 yrs
In young adults
A slight reduction of total IgM and salivary IgG
antibodies to Streptococcus mutans and EBV