Studies on difference in cellular immune-response between the human tonsil and blood lymphocytes.

Tonsillar and blood lymphocytes in a viable state were separated from tuberculin-sensitive tonsillectomized patients. The difference in the response to various cellular immunological stimulation between both lymphocyte groups was studied. Tonsillar lymphocytes without adherent cells could not respond well to PPD, while blood lymphocytes responded far better than tonsillar lymphocytes did to PPD when adherent cells were absent. PHA and PWM stimulated tonsillar and blood lymphocytes irrespective of the presence of adherent cells. However, in case of PWM stimulation, 3H-TdR incorporation was more remarkable in tonsillar lymphocytes than in blood lymphocytes. Furthermore, the lymphocytes which react to homologous cells also existed in the tonsils as in blood. These results suggest that there might be lymphocyte-subpopulations showing a difference of functional roles or of maturing-process between tonsil and blood lymphocytes.