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Localization and characterization of T-cell subpopulations and natural killer cells (HNK 1+ cells) in the human tonsilla palatina

An ultrastructural-immunocytochemical study

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Summary

In the present study attention was focussed on several lymphoid subpopulations and specific stationary cells of the human tonsilla palatina. They were labeled at the light- and electron-microscopic levels by means of monoclonal antibodies to cell surface antigens. Cells resembling interdigitating cells (IDC-like cells) within the crypt epithelium and the interdigitating cells in the parafollicular T-cell region express the HLA-DR antigen. This fact suggests a relationship between these two populations of cells. Both cell types were frequently found in close contact to T-helper cells labeled with Anti-Leu 3a. This fact is discussed as a confirmation of earlier suggestions that the tonsillar crypt epithelium serves as T-cell region. Cytotoxic/ suppressor-T cells (OKT 8 +) and Leu 7-positive cells do not appear to contact interdigitating cells. Anti-Leu 7 is a monoclonal antibody, that defines a differentiation antigen shown to be selectively expressed on human natural killer cells (NK-cells). With the use of the immuno-electron-microscopic labeling method it was possible to analyze the ultrastructure of this lymphoid subpopulation. Two morphologically distinguishable subtypes of Leu 7-positive cells populate different microenvironments: The Leu 7-positive large-granular lymphocyte was predominantly found in the crypt epithelium, while numerous Leu 7-positive cells located in the germinal centers had the appearance of small lymphocytes. This finding is discussed in favour of distinct phenotypes representing different stages in a differentiation pathway of the maturing NK-cell: Small Leu 7-positive lymphocytes in the germinal centers are supposed to be functionally inactive precursors, and only the Leu 7-positive large granulated lymphocytes in the crypt epithelium may represent differentiated active NK-cells. This interpretation is in agreement with the observation that the tonsilla palatina, in spite of containing numerous Leu 7-positive cells, shows only low NK-activity against tumor cells.

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Abbreviations

DAB:

diamino-benzidine

DMSO:

dimethyl sulfoxide

HLA:

human leucocyte antigen

HLA-DR:

human leucocyte antigen, D-region related

Ia-antigen:

immune-associated antigen of the MHC

IDC:

interdigitating cell

IDC-like cell:

cell that resembles an interdigitating cell

LGL:

large granular lymphocyte

MHC:

major histocompatibility gene complex

NK-cell:

natural killer cell

PBS:

phosphate-buffered saline

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Anatomisches Institut der Universität; Abteilung Allgemeine Pathologie und pathologische Anatomie, Klinikum der Universität Kiel, Kiel, Bundesrepublik Deutschland

    Brita von Gaudecker, Ulrich Pfingsten & Hans-Konrad Müller-Hermelink

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  1. Brita von Gaudecker
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  2. Ulrich Pfingsten
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von Gaudecker, B., Pfingsten, U. & Müller-Hermelink, HK. Localization and characterization of T-cell subpopulations and natural killer cells (HNK 1+ cells) in the human tonsilla palatina. Cell Tissue Res. 238, 135–143 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00215154

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