Abstract
Background: The position of the tonsils which belong to the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues (MALT), implies a key role as secondary lymphoid organ in initiating immune responses against various antigens. While the IgE antibody-mediated release of mediators constitutes the immunopathological basis for immediate symptoms, much less is known concerning the role of allergen-specific responses of isotypes other than IgE. In order to investigate the impact of an allergen-specific immune reaction on the local immune response in palatine tonsils, the expression of IgA + plasma cells and the distribution of proliferating cells in Bet v 1-(Betula verrucosa 1) allergic and non-allergic patients were detected. Methods: Using immunohistological methods, IgA + plasma cells and K167 + cells were stained in cryosections of tonsils from 20 patients according to chronic tonsillitis (Bet v 1-allergic/non-allergic patients, n = 10). The distribution of IgA + plasma- and Ki67 + -proliferating cells was analyzed. Results: Our analyses showed a differential distribution and a significantly (p < 0.01) diminished expression of IgA + plasma cells in tonsils of Bet v 1-allergic patients compared to non-allergic patients. Further, tonsils of allergic and non-allergic patients did not show differences in the distribution of proliferating cells. However, tonsils of both investigated groups were comparable concerning their number and size of secondary lymphoid follicles and their morphologic structures. Conclusions: Altogether, these data may lead to the assumption that the reduction of IgA + plasma cells within the epithelial microenvironment of the crypts and the extrafollicular areas in allergic individuals results in a reduced ability to mount a protective immune response against allergens. The comparable number and size of follicles and the distribution of proliferating cells in the tonsillar germinal centers may reflect the ongoing germinal center reaction.
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