Lymphocytes from adenoid vegetations: proliferative responses in vitro as compared to blood lymphocytes.

Thymidine incorporation by lymphocytes obtained from adenoids (AVL) and blood (PBL) were compared in 27 children undergoing adenoidectomy. Optimal conditions as regards cell number and duration of culture were worked out. The spontaneous thymidine incorporation was higher in PBL than in AVL. In cultures stimulated by polyclonal activators or by PPD, the responses of PBL were higher. The dose-response curves for PBL and AVL after stimulation with killed H. influenzae were different: PBL showed a higher response, the optimal antigen concentration was lower for PBL, and the responsiveness to suboptimal antigen concentrations wash higher in PBL than in AVL.