Cytokine production in patients with recurrent acute tonsillitis: analysis of tonsil samples and blood

Katharina Geißler,Orlando Guntinas-Lichius,Katja Schubert,Ignacio Rubio,Cynthia Weigel

doi:10.1038/s41598-020-69981-1

Katharina Geißler, Orlando Guntinas-Lichius + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-69981-1

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine T cell function in tonsils of patients with recurrent acute tonsillitis (RAT) or peritonsillar abscess (PTA) by analyzing the cytokine production following T cell receptor (TCR) and co-receptor stimulation with a combination of anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 antibodies. The release of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-17A from isolated, stimulated T cells of 27 palatine tonsils (10 RAT, 7 PTA, 10 tonsils without inflammation) was measured via a bead-based flow cytometric analysis. The results were compared with the cytokine release of isolated peripheral T cells in a subset of the same patients (6 PTA, 4 patients without signs of inflammation in the blood). TCR stimulation increased the concentration of released cytokines in tonsil and blood as well as in different forms of inflammation and tissue with no inflammation. Stimulation increased the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-2 more than the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-10 in tonsil and blood samples in RAT, PTA, and samples without inflammation. Blood of patients with PTA showed a higher pro-inflammatory cytokine level compared to the samples of patients without inflammation. T cells in tonsils are fully responsive and competent for antigen-induced cytokine production in RAT and PTA. One should be aware that tonsillectomy, if indicated, might remove a functioning immune organ. Tonsillotomy might be an alternative even in adults to maintain immunological function.

Highlights

The aim of this study was to examine T cell function in tonsils of patients with recurrent acute tonsillitis (RAT) or peritonsillar abscess (PTA) by analyzing the cytokine production following T cell receptor (TCR) and co-receptor stimulation with a combination of anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 antibodies
Stimulation of tonsillar T cells with soluble anti-CD3/CD28, bead-immobilized anti-CD3/CD28, and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)/ionomycin increased the concentration of released cytokines (Table 2 and Supplementary Fig. 1)
TCR stimulation led to a stronger increase of genuine pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IFN-γ, and IL-6 than anti-inflammatory cytokines, prominently IL-4 and IL-10 (Fig. 1, Table 2)

Summary

Introduction

The aim of this study was to examine T cell function in tonsils of patients with recurrent acute tonsillitis (RAT) or peritonsillar abscess (PTA) by analyzing the cytokine production following T cell receptor (TCR) and co-receptor stimulation with a combination of anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 antibodies. The release of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-17A from isolated, stimulated T cells of 27 palatine tonsils (10 RAT, 7 PTA, 10 tonsils without inflammation) was measured via a bead-based flow cytometric analysis. Stimulation increased the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-2 more than the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-10 in tonsil and blood samples in RAT, PTA, and samples without inflammation. The palatine tonsils as paired lymphatic organs are located at the beginning of the upper aerodigestive tract and are responsible for immune protection against ingested and inhaled pathogens In this context, innate and adaptive immune reactions interact, whereby tonsillar T cells located primarily in the extra-follicular spaces, in particular, play a dominant r ole[1]. Despite its large clinical impact, the importance of the palatine tonsil for the immune system and the consequences of its removal are still unclear and controversially debated[13]

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