Distribution and role of mast cells in human tonsil

Abstract

Mast cells (MC) are an important component in inflammation and immune surveillance mechanisms, and play a key role in defense against bacterial infection. Since tonsils are involved in inflammatory and allergic reactions, and because mast cells are also part of these reactions, this study was to clarify the local distribution of human mast cells in tonsils. Tonsillar tissues were from patients suffering from chronic tonsillitis or hyperplastic tonsils, divided into atopy and non-atopy groups. The localization and distribution of mast cells was determined by immunohistological study using anti-tryptase and anti-C-kit antibodies. Furthermore, the expression of IgE was also investigated. We revealed that in both groups, mast cells were distributed in perivascular and interfollicular areas. However, the expression of tryptase and C-kit in interfollicular areas was more significant in non-atopy group rather than atopy group. In addition, IgE was significantly expressed in perivascular areas, crypt and subepithelial tissue of tonsils from atopy group. In contrast, there was no remarkable increase of IgE expression in interfollicular areas. The finding that mast cells are differently distributed in the tonsillar tissues incited us to investigate the possible new role of mast cells in the tonsillar tissues in inflammatory or allergic conditions.