CHARACTERIZATION OF HUMAN ADENOID CELLS USING SURFACE AND FUNCTIONAL MARKERS FOR LYMPHOCYTE SUBPOPULATIONS

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 27  (3) , 425-431
Abstract
Adenoid lymphocytes from children undergoing adenoidectomy were compared with blood cells from the same children using techniques for identifying T [thymus-derived] cells and B [bone marrow-derived] cells. A high proportion of adenoid lymphocytes were immunoglobulin [Ig] positive cells. Of these only a minor fraction carried receptors for the Fc part of IgG. Adenoid B lymphocytes respond poorly if at all to polyclonal B-cell activators, such as [Escherichia coli] LPS [lipopolysaccharide] or PPD [purified protein derivative], which show a different reactivity compared to human splenic cells. The response to anti-.beta.2-microglobulin was also different; blood cells responded better than adenoid cells. Distinct subpopulations of B lymphocytes reside in different lymphoid organs. The adenoid lymphocyte reactivity might reflect their function in the defense mechanism against infections.