Adenoid Tissue Research Articles

Comparison of Transoral/Transnasal Endoscopic-Guided Adenoidectomy with Endoscopic Nasopharyngeal Inspection at the End of Curettage Adenoidectomy.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of transoral or transnasal endoscopic-guided adenoidectomy compared with endoscopic nasopharyngeal inspection at the end of curettage adenoidectomy. A prospective case series of patients who had adenoidectomy. A total of 27 girls and 34 boys (age range 2.5-18years) in whom adenoidectomy with or without tonsillectomy procedure was planned were included in the study. The cases were divided into three groups. Group 1 Transoral endoscopic-guided adenoidectomy performed patients. Group 2 Transnasal endoscopic-guided adenoidectomy performed patients. Group 3 Transnasal endoscopic nasopharyngeal exploration performed at the end of the conventional curettage adenoidectomy. The study was completed on 61 children. Mean age and sex frequency were not significant different between the groups. Mean operative time were 11.6±2.9, 15.6±4.4 and 9.7±2min, respectively (p>0.05). On the other hand, significant differences were observed in operative time between group 1 and group 2 (p<0.05), and between group 2 and group 3 (p<0.05). Transnasal endoscopic examination at the end of curettage adenoidectomy is an appropriate method to assess the residual adenoid tissue after conventional curettage adenoidectomy. Also, operative time of this method is shorter than transoral or transnasal endoscopic-guided adenoidectomy. We recommend transnasal endoscopic inspection in all patients after conventional curettage adenoidectomy.

Chlamydophila pneumoniae Infection Assessment in Children With Adenoid Hypertrophy Concomitant With Rhino Sinusitis.

Background:Since adenoids may act as a reservoir for bacteria, they can cause ear infection, recurrent otitis and recurrent adenotonsillitis. Therefore, adenotonsillectomy is an efficient method for reducing the number and severity of subsequent infections.Objectives:This study aimed to determine the Chlamydophila pneumonia infection by serological tests and performing PCR in the adenoid tissue, in children undergoing adenoid surgery and compare the results with normal children.Patients and Methods:This case control study was conducted in the ENT and pediatric wards of Rasoul Akram Hospital in Tehran (2008-2011). We studied 53 patients who had undergone the adenoid surgery (adenoid hypertrophy concomitant with rhino sinusitis) and 31 other patients undergoing elective surgeries in the general surgery ward (like orthopedic surgeries, hernia, etc.) without any infection (like rhinosinusitis), as the control groups. We searched for C. pneumoniae by PCR kits (Chemicon, Germany) in resected adenoid tissues and nasopharyngeal swabs of controls (ethics restrictions in controls). We also looked for specific IgM & IgG antibodies (ELISA, Biochem Immuno Systems, Italy) and compared them between the two groups. A P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results:Positive PCR results were observed in 13.5% of cases and none of the controls. The condition prevalence was higher in warm seasons (P = 0.05). No correlation was found between positive PCR results and patients' gender. IgM presence was observed in 11% (6.51) of cases and 6.5% (2.31) of controls (P = 0.7). IgG results were not positive in any of the cases (0.51), whereas positive results were seen in 13.3% of the controls (P = 0.007). IgM results showed no significant difference with PCR results (P = 0.7) but IgG results did (P = 0.05).Conclusions:The results of the study showed a positive correlation between PCR and serology (IgM) results in the case group. Recent C. pneumoniae infection was proved to exist by PCR and serology (IgM) in patients who had undergone adenoidectomy. In contrast to the controls, none of the patients in the study group showed previous immunity. Findings indicate the probable role of C. pneumoniae infection, in inducing adenoid hypertrophy in nearly 13% of cases.

Validity of acoustic rhinometry in the evaluation of patients with adenoid hypertrophy.

Reliability of acoustic rhinometry (AR) for preoperative diagnosis and decision of surgery in children with adenoid hypertrophy were investigated in this study. Fifty-five children who cannot tolerate nasal endoscopic examination were included. The AR was performed preoperatively and postoperatively 1 month later. The volume of distance between the 6th and 10th centimeters in rhinogram curve was calculated for evaluating the adenoid notch (AN) region. The volume of AN region was compared with each patient's volume of the adenoid tissue removed with adenoidectomy. Whereas the median adenoid specimen volume was 2.0 (1.0-2.0) cm3 in 23 patients with complaint of nasal obstruction, median AN volumes in the rhinogram curve was 2.3 (0.8-5.2) cm3. All children whose preoperative nasopharyngeal volume was 4.2 cm3 or less had increased volume in the area representing the nasopharynx on rhinogram. We found a statistically significant relationship between the AN and the adenoid specimen volume (P = 0.000, r = 0.797). The sensitivity and specificity were found as 61.2% and 95.8%, respectively. We concluded that the children whose preoperative nasopharyngeal volumes were measured as 4.2 cm3 or less by AR could benefit more from adenoidectomy.

Objective assessment of endoscopy assisted adenoidectomy

ObjectivesTo objectively assess the effectiveness of endoscopy assisted adenoidectomy utilizing adenoid tissue volume measurement and to set some parameters for which patients are more legible to this procedure. MethodsForty three patients for whom adenoidectomy was conventionally done using adenoid curettes. Surgeon’s satisfaction for adenoid removal after curettage and digital palpation was reported. The volume of removed adenoidal tissue was measured. The remaining adenoid tissue, if any, was removed transnasally guided by endoscope. Residual adenoid volume was also was measured. The data was tabulated and statistically analyzed. ResultsThe volume of adenoid removed by curettage ranged from 1 to 3.6ml with a mean of 2.45ml. The volume of residual adenoid removed by endoscopy after curettage ranged from 0 to 2.9ml (mean: 0.67±0.58ml). The volume of residual adenoid after blind curettage was found to have statistically significant relation to older age of patients, preoperative larger adenoid by X-ray and Surgeon’s dissatisfaction about the completeness of removal after curettage. ConclusionConventional curettage adenoidectomy misses a substantial volume of adenoid tissue. Endoscopy-assisted adenoidectomy is significantly recommended in children age >10 years, dissatisfied surgeon after curettage and palpation, and grade 3 adenoid enlargement on X-ray.

Detection of Helicobacter pylori in adenoid tissue by real-time polymerase chain reaction

This study aims to investigate the presence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) using the real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method in the adenoid tissues in children undergoing surgical operation due to adenoid hypertrophy. Adenoid tissues of 23 children (8 girls, 15 boys; mean age 6.2 years; range 3 to 9 years) who were operated with the diagnosis of adenoid hypertrophy, tonsil + adenoid hypertrophy or tonsil + adenoid hypertrophy + serous otitis media in our clinic between January 2012 and April 2012 were examined. Of 23 patients, H. pylori was detected in the adenoid tissues of two (8.7%). Regurgitation was present in seven patients. However, no regurgitation was found in H. pylori-positive patients. In this study the presence of H. pylori in patients with adenoid hypertrophy has been demonstrated using PCR method. To be able to support the hypothesis that H. pylori has a place in etiology of adenoid hypertrophy, multicenter studies are warranted.

Mucopolysaccharidosis: Otolaryngologic findings, obstructive sleep apnea and accumulation of glucosaminoglycans in lymphatic tissue of the upper airway

ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to evaluate otolaryngologic problems (upper airway obstruction, obstructive sleep apnea, restriction of mouth opening, middle ear effusion, hearing and breathing problems) and their treatments on mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) patients and to investigate accumulation of glucosaminoglycans (GAG) in the upper airway biochemically and pathologically. Methods76 MPS patients were evaluated. Forty-two MPS patients underwent polysomnography (PSG) for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Pre- and postoperative PSG results of 18 patients were compared. The success and complications of treatments for OSA in MPS were evaluated. Biochemical and histopathological accumulation of GAG in tonsil and adenoid tissue and middle ear effusion were analyzed and compared with the control group. ResultsForty patients out of 42 tested with PSG had OSA (95%). Adenoid grade, Mallampati grade, restricted mouth opening, rate of difficult intubation were significantly different among MPS subtypes. MPS types III and IV had significantly lower Mallampati scores; type VI had significantly worse mouth opening; and type III had significantly better mouth opening and higher rate of easy intubation when compared to other MPS types. There was no significant difference between MPS subtypes according to tonsil grade, adenoid grade, rate of otitis media with effusion and OSA severity. Statistically significant difference was found between GAG accumulation in adenoid tissue and middle ear effusion of MPS and control group (p<0.05). However, GAG accumulation in tonsil was not significantly different between MPS and control group. There was a statistically significant improvement in postop Apnea–Hypopnea Index (AHI) compared to preop AHI (p<0.05). ConclusionsMost MPS patients have airway obstruction and OSA due to adenotonsillar hypertrophy. Most of these children benefit from adenotonsillectomy, after which OSA significantly improves. They experience high recurrence rate after adenoidectomy; though this is not clinically problematic. They also suffer from conductive hearing loss due to OME, which has to be treated with ventilation tube insertion. However, such operations are usually complicated by difficult endotracheal intubation and restricted mouth opening. Sometimes tracheotomy may be necessary. Tracheotomy is also highly complicated in MPS patients. Significant accumulation of GAG in middle ear fluid and adenoid tissue is present; however, GAG appears not to accumulate in tonsillar tissue.

An extremely rare complication of adenoidectomy; massive bleeding 7 days after the operation

Abstract Hemorrhagic complications after adenoidectomy are quite rare, and nearly all of these take place in a few hours after the operation and result from the remnants of the adenoid tissue. We report here in an eight-year-old girl with a massive life-threatening bleeding episode, which developed seven days after the operation. In this case, endoscopic bipolar cauterization, and posterior nasal pack, completely filling the nasopharynx was enough to control bleeding.

The Prevalence Rate of Helicobacter pylori Infection in, Chronic Otitis Media With Effusion Patients.

Background:Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a common disease in children. Viral or bacterial infections, allergy, adenoids, functional abnormalities of the Eustachian tube, and gastroesophageal reflux might have a possible role in the pathogenesis of OME. However, the exact pathogenesis of OME is still unsettled.Objectives:The purpose of this study was to compare Helicobacter pylori prevalence rates in the nasopharynx of pediatric patients with and without OME.Patients and Methods:Eighty-four patients (50 males and 34 females) who were subjected to adenoidectomy and myringotomy were included in the study group. Ninety-one patients (48 males and 43 females) who had only adenoidectomy were selected as the control group. Detection of H. pylori was done by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Results:Adenoid samples were positive for H. pylori in 21 (25%) patients in study group and 18 (19.8%) patients in control group. In the study group, 36 (42.8%) effusion samples (otitis media) of the patients were positive for H. pylori. In an analysis that compared H. pylori–negative and –positive children, the odds ratio (OR) for the occurrence of H. pylori was 1.35 (95% CI, 0.66 - 2.71). The association of age with H. pylori positivity decreased for 1-5 years age group, (1.09; 95% CI, 0.39 – 3.05) but increased for the 6-10 years group (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 0.61–3.58). Furthermore, the association of sex with H. pylori positivity decreased for the male group (OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 0.50 – 2.91), but increased in the female group (OR, 1.44; 95% CI, 0.51–0.4.05).Conclusions:Heavy colonization of H. pylori in adenoid tissue and middle ear might have a role in pathogenesis of this infection. For OME cases resistant to medical treatment, it might be meaningful to evaluate the patient for H. pylori.

Chlamydia pneumoniae and typical bacteria occurrence in adenoid in children qualified for adenoidectomy

ObjectiveThe ability to occur in a persistent form and to inhibit apoptosis in host cells are the features of Chlamydia pneumoniae which may be associated with adenoid hypertrophy.This study aimed to (1) demonstrate the presence of C. pneumoniae DNA in the adenoid in children qualified for adenoidectomy, (2) evaluate the correlation between the presence of C. pneumoniae in the adenoid and the child's age, the size of adenoid, the incidence of recurrent respiratory tract infections, (3) demonstrate the co-occurrence of C. pneumoniae and typical bacteria in the adenoid tissue. MethodsA group of 200 children aged from 2 to 16 years (mean age 6.4) undergoing adenoidectomy from February 2010 to May 2011 were enrolled to the study. Adenoid tissue removed during planned adenoidectomy was analyzed for the presence of C. pneumoniae by real-time PCR and for the presence of typical bacteria by bacteriological culture. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS PASW Statistics 18 software. ResultsC. pneumoniae was detected in the adenoid in 5.5% of the 200 children. Positive results were obtained most frequently (24.1%, 7/29) in the eldest group (10–16 years). In PCR positive children the degree of choanal narrowing by an adenoid tended to be larger than in PCR negative children. The occurrence of C. pneumoniae in the adenoid was not associated with a presence of a specific typical bacterium. ConclusionsThe presence of C. pneumoniae in an adenoid was most frequently detected in the children of 10–16 years qualified for adenoidectomy.

Prevalence of human papillomavirus and Epstein–Barr virus DNA in Chinese children with tonsillar and/or adenoidal hypertrophy

Tonsillar and adenoidal hypertrophy are prevalent otolaryngologic disorders in children, but their pathogenesis is largely unknown. The presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA in 146 tonsil and/or adenoid tissue specimens from 104 Chinese children with tonsillar and/or adenoidal hypertrophy were screened using flow-through hybridization gene-chip technology and real-time fluorescence-based quantitative PCR. Then, the relationships between the prevalence of the viruses and other clinical characteristics of tonsillar and/or adenoidal hypertrophy were analyzed. No patient had HPV DNA. EBV DNA was detected in 19/42 (45.2%) tonsil tissues and 72/104 (69.2%) adenoid tissue specimens (P < 0.05). EBV DNA was not related to the patients' age, gender, disease course, or nationality, but children positive for EBV were less likely to snore; 14/15 (93.3%) patients who did not snore and 59/89 (66.3%) patients who snored were EBV positive. EBV DNA, but not HPV DNA was detected in Chinese children with tonsillar and/or adenoidal hypertrophy. Adenoid tissues might more susceptible than tonsil tissues to EBV infection. In addition, EBV infection did not aggravate snoring in patients with tonsillar and/or adenoidal hypertrophy.

Adenoids in children: Advances in immunology, diagnosis, and surgery

Adenoids are strategically located for mediating local and regional immune functions as they are exposed to antigens from both the outside air and the alimentary tract. Recurrent or chronic respiratory infections can induce histomorphological and functional changes in the adenoidal immunological barrier, sometimes making surgical treatment necessary. Our aim in this review is to summarize the crucial points about not only the immunological histopathology of adenoidal tissue, especially in patients with adenoid hypertrophy, but also the most common and useful diagnostic techniques and surgical options.

Detection of respiratory viruses in nasopharyngeal swab and adenoid tissue from children submitted to adenoidectomy: pre- and postoperative analysis.

Introduction The presence of respiratory viruses in lymphoid tissues of the nasopharynx and oropharynx and its impact on recurrent infections and hypertrophy of these tissues are not yet fully understood. Objective To identify and determine the prevalence of major respiratory viruses in nasopharyngeal secretions and adenoid tissue pre- and postoperatively of children undergoing adenoidectomy. Methods A prospective observational study was conducted in 36 patients under 12 years of age with upper airway lymphoid hypertrophy who were undergoing adenoidectomy, in which various respiratory viruses were investigated using real-time polymerase chain reaction in adenoid tissue and nasopharyngeal secretions collected preoperatively and 30 days postoperatively. Results At least 1 viral agent was isolated in any of the samples collected in 58.3% of children and 25.9% of total samples. Respiratory viruses were identified in 33.8% of preoperative nasopharyngeal specimens and in 19.8% of postoperative secretion. Of the 21 patients with positive results for any respiratory virus, 6 (28.6%) had more than 1 virus. Considering all 36 respiratory viruses found, the main agent isolated was rhinovirus (27.8%), followed by bocavirus (22.2%). Conclusion The virus found more frequently in all samples was rhinovirus. After removal of adenoid tissue, there was a decrease in the prevalence of the virus contained in nasopharyngeal secretion 30 days after surgery.

Adenoid hypertrophy existence in adulthood- a truth revealed

Background and aims: The adenoids (nasopharyngeal tonsils) are part of Waldeyer’s ring of lymphoid tissue. Endoscopic examination of the nasopharynx increasingly recognized that adenoidal tissue in adults is not an uncommon finding. The aims of this study were to determine prevalence of adult adenoid tissue and the possible reasons behind it. Methods: A retrospective study of 1,100 adult patients, who had routine nasal endoscopic examination for nasal obstruction and related pathologies, was undertaken. 84 cases with incidental hypertrophied adenoid were reviewed to determine the probable cause, presenting symptoms, clinical suspicion and final histological diagnosis. Results: The age of patients ranged from 18 years to 77 years. Median age was 32 years. 59 (70.24%) of adenoid hypertrophy patients were smokers and only 25 (29.76%) were nonsmokers suggesting strong association between smoking and adult adenoid hypertrophy with odds ratio=5.3251, %2value of 54.23 and an extremely significant p value. All the 84 cases were confirmed histopathologically as Reactive adenoid hyperplasia and no signs of malignancy in any of them. Conclusions: The true incidence of adenoidal hypertrophy in adults is unknown. Adenoidal tissue in adults, if present, must always be biopsied or removed irrespective of their macroscopic appearance. The result underlines the importance of considering adenoid hypertrophy as a cause or contributing factor in nasal obstruction and related pathologies in adults. It also supports the theory that it represents a long-standing inflammatory process rather than being a novel clinical entity.

Adenoid hypertrophy existence in adulthood- a truth revealed

Abstract Background and aims: The adenoids (nasopharyngeal tonsils) are part of Waldeyer’s ring of lymphoid tissue. Endoscopic examination of the nasopharynx increasingly recognized that adenoidal tissue in adults is not an uncommon finding. The aims of this study were to determine prevalence of adult adenoid tissue and the possible reasons behind it. Methods: A retrospective study of 1,100 adult patients, who had routine nasal endoscopic examination for nasal obstruction and related pathologies, was undertaken. 84 cases with incidental hypertrophied adenoid were reviewed to determine the probable cause, presenting symptoms, clinical suspicion and final histological diagnosis. Results: The age of patients ranged from 18 years to 77 years. Median age was 32 years. 59 (70.24%) of adenoid hypertrophy patients were smokers and only 25 (29.76%) were nonsmokers suggesting strong association between smoking and adult adenoid hypertrophy with odds ratio=5.3251, χ2value of 54.23 and an extremely significant p value. All the 84 cases were confirmed histopathologically as Reactive adenoid hyperplasia and no signs of malignancy in any of them. Conclusions: The true incidence of adenoidal hypertrophy in adults is unknown. Adenoidal tissue in adults, if present, must always be biopsied or removed irrespective of their macroscopic appearance. The result underlines the importance of considering adenoid hypertrophy as a cause or contributing factor in nasal obstruction and related pathologies in adults. It also supports the theory that it represents a long-standing inflammatory process rather than being a novel clinical entity.

Powered instrumentation for transnasal endoscopic partial adenoidectomy in children with submucosal cleft palate

ObjectivesPartial adenoidectomy is the selective removal of the obstructing part of adenoid tissue, thus relieves obstruction symptoms and preserves the velopharyngeal valve action. Patients with palatal dysfunction are candidates for the technique. This study describes the use of microdebrider, transnasally (guided by the nasal endoscope) to perform partial adenoidectomy in patients with submucosal cleft palate, who presented with adenoidal hypertrophy and also it discusses its effects on nasal obstruction and speech. Subjects and methodsThis prospective study was carried out on twenty-three submucosal cleft palate patients who were referred to the ORL-HN department; Zagazig University Hospitals complaining of respiratory obstruction and sleep disturbances due to adenoids hypertrophy. After preoperative nasoendoscopic and speech evaluation, transnasal endoscopic, power-assisted partial adenoidectomy was done for all patients. All patients were followed up at regular visits including nasoendoscopy and speech evaluation. ResultsThe procedure insured fast, safe, reliable, under vision and well controlled steps. Intraoperatively no major complications were recorded. During follow up, nasal obstruction and respiratory obstruction symptoms were improved. Speech outcome results were reported. ConclusionThe study demonstrates the feasibility of using the microdebrider for performing transnasal partial adenoidectomy (under endoscopic guidance). The procedure is precise, rapid, safe and well-tolerated with the advantage of direct visualization of a traditionally difficult-to-expose area. The study reported improvement of respiratory obstruction symptoms with good speech results.

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in adenotonsillar hypertrophy in children

Conclusion: Our results encourage the notion that the pharynx could be an extragastric reservoir of Helicobacter pylori (HP). The study confirmed the presence of HP in adenotonsillar tissue in children. It could have importance in the pathophysiology of upper respiratory diseases. However, its precise role in these processes remains unclear and requires further studies. Objective: A prospective study was carried out to evaluate the presence of HP in tonsillar and adenoid tissue in children. The study focused on real-time PCR analyzing CagA and VacA genotypes of HP strains. Methods: A total of 37 consecutive pediatric patients with adenotonsillar hypertrophy indicated for surgery were observed in a prospective study. Adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy was performed in each patient; 49 specimens were taken, 32 from adenoids and 17 from tonsils. The presence of HP and its genotype were tested in all samples by real-time PCR analysis. Results: Of 49 samples analyzed, 48 were positive for the presence of HP (98%), so only 1 sample was negative. While the genotype VacAs1bm2 was definitely dominant in adenoid tissue, wider distribution was observed in tonsillar tissue. Cag+ strains represented one-fifth of all samples (21%).

Relationship between Helicobacter pylori Adenotonsillar Colonization and Frequency of Adenotonsillitis in Children.

There are insufficient data in the literature on the presence of Helicobacter pylori in tonsil and adenoid tissue of patients with only airway obstruction. This study examined the presence of H. pylori in surgical cases with airway obstruction or recurrent infection. To investigate the relationship between H. pylori adenotonsillar colonisation and the frequency of adenotonsillitis and to compare paediatric and adult patients according to H. pylori tonsillar colonisation. Prospective clinical trial. PATIENTS SCHEDULED FOR ADENOIDECTOMY OR TONSILLECTOMY WERE CLASSIFIED INTO THREE GROUPS BASED ON INDICATIONS: paediatric infection (n=29), paediatric obstruction (n=29) and adult infection (n=12). Tissue samples obtained from patients were examined for the presence of H. pylori by culture, rapid urease test and polymerase chain reaction. Forty-nine tonsil tissues were examined. Positive results were found in two specimens with the rapid urease test (4.1%) and three with polymerase chain reaction examination (6.1%). Only three positive polymerase chain reaction results (5.8%) were identified in 52 adenoid tissue samples. There were no statistically significant differences in the presence of H. pylori between paediatric infection and obstruction groups or between paediatric infection and adult infection groups. In our study, there was a low incidence of H. pylori colonisation in tonsil and adenoid tissues. Regarding H. pylori colonisation, there was no significant difference between paediatric infection and obstruction groups. Also, no significant difference was found between adult and paediatric cases.

Genetic similarity between adenoid tissue and middle ear fluid isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis from Iranian children with otitis media with effusion

BackgroundOtitis media with effusion (OME) is a common disease among children, in the pathogenesis of which bacterial infections play a critical role. It was suggested that adenoid tissue could serve as a reservoir for bacterial infection, the eustachian tubes being the migration routes of bacteria into the middle ear cavity. The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic similarity between isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis, obtained from adenoid tissue and middle ear fluid. MethodsA total of 60 specimens of middle ear fluids (MEFs) and 45 specimens of adenoid tissue were obtained from 45 children with OME. All the samples were inoculated on culture media for bacterial isolation and identification. The genetic similarity between bacterial isolates was determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). ResultsThe same bacterial species were simultaneously isolated from adenoid tissue and MEFs of 14 patients, among which, 6 pairs of M. catarrhalis, 5 pairs of S. pneumoniae and 3 pairs of H. influenzae were identified. ConclusionsBased on the genetic similarities between isolate pairs, found by PFGE analysis, this study suggested that M. catarrhalis, S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae colonize the adenoid tissue, then migrate to the middle ear cavity and, hence, contribute to the total pathogenesis of OME.

Inflammatory Profile of Neurotrophins, IL-6, IL1-β, TNF-α, VEGF, ICAM-1 and TGF-β in the Human Waldeyer's Ring

The palatine tonsils, nasopharyngeal tonsil (adenoid) and lingual tonsil constitute the major part of Waldeyer's ring, with the tubal tonsils and lateral pharyngeal bands as less prominent components. The lymphoid tissue of Waldeyer's ring is located at the gateway of the respiratory and alimentary tract and belongs to the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT). Mucosae-associated lymphoid tissues are richly innervated and the mucosae contain peptidergic nerve endings associated with different types of cells and macrophages. The lymphatic tissue is known to interact with the nervous system and several organs implicated in the host response to a wide range of stressors. This study focuses on the expression of some neurotrophins (NTs), their high- and low-affinity receptors in human adenoid tissues, lingual and palatine tonsils via immunohistochemical analysis, as well as on the expression of some inflammatory cytokines and other tissue growth factors. Light microscopy immunohistochemistry showed human samples to be generally positive for all the NTs investigated (NGF, BDNF, NT-3) and their receptors (TrKA, TrKB and TrKC) with some different expression levels. IL-6, IL1-b, TNF-α, VEGF, ICAM-1 and TGF-b were also investigated by immunohistochemistry. These results suggest the presence of a pattern of neurotrophic innervation in the human lymphatic tissues which may play a role in sustaining inflammatory conditions and in modulating a close interaction between the nervous system and the different immune cellular subtypes. Our data also corroborate previous studies, suggesting that neurotrophins and inflammatory cytokines may mediate functional signals in lymphoid aggregates. In this context, owing to their widespread expression in immune organs and immunocompetent cells, NTs and inflammatory cytokines are potential candidates for a prominent role in the regulation of immune and neuroimmune interactions.

Isolation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC) from Human Adenoid Tissue

Objectives: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent progenitor cells that originally derived from bone marrow. Clinical use of bone marrow-derived MSC is difficult due to morbidity and low MSC abundance and isolation efficiency. Recently, MSCs have been isolated from various adult tissues. Here we report the isolation of adenoid tissue-derived MSCs (A-MSCs) and their characteristics. Methods: We compared the surface markers, morphologies, and differentiation and proliferation capacities of previously established tonsil-derived MSCs (T-MSCs) with cells isolated from adenoid tissue. The immunophenotype of A-MSCs was investigated upon interferon (IFN)-Î3 stimulation. Results: Both T-MSCs and A-MSCs showed negative CD45, CD31 HLA-DR, and positive CD 90, CD44, and CD73 expression. A-MSCs were fibroblast-like, spindle-shaped non-adherent cells, similar to T-MSCs. Adipogenesis was observed in A-MSCs by the formation of lipid droplets after Oil Red O staining. Osteogenesis was observed by the formation of the matrix mineralization in Alizarin Red staining. Chondrogenesis was observed by the accumulation of sulfated glycosaminoglycan-rich matrix in collagen type II staining. These data were similar to those of T-MSCs. Expression of marker genes (ie, adipogenesis; lipoprotein lipase, proliferator-activator receptor-gamma, osteogenesis; osteocalcin, alkaline phasphatase, chondrogenesis; aggrecan, collagen type II α1) in A-MSCs were not different from those in T-MSCs. Conclusions: A-MSCs possess the characteristics of MSCs in terms of morphology, multipotent differentiation capacity, cell surface markers, and immunogeneity. Therefore, A-MSCs fulfill the definition of MSCs and represent an alternate source of MSCs.