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- Title
Age-related differences in human palatine tonsillar B cell subsets and immunoglobulin isotypes.
- Authors
Lee, Jino; Chang, Dong-Yeop; Kim, Sang-Wook; Choi, Yoon; Jeon, Sea-Yuong; Racanelli, Vito; Kim, Dae; Shin, Eui-Cheol
- Abstract
The tonsils provide defense of the upper aerodigestive tract against pathogens. Although long known to undergo functional changes with age, the precise changes occurring within tonsillar B cell populations remain undefined. In the present study, we investigated age-related changes in palatine tonsillar B cell subsets and immunoglobulin (Ig) isotypes. Palatine tonsils were obtained from forty-two tonsillectomy patients without tonsillitis who were divided into three groups: young children (4-9 years), adolescents (10-19 years), and adults (20-60 years). Tonsillar B cells were then analyzed by flow cytometry. Using expression of CD38 and IgD to define B cell subsets, we found that the frequency of germinal center (GC) B cells in the tonsils was significantly higher, and the frequency of memory B cells lower, in young children as compared to adolescents and adults. Within the GC B cell subsets, adults had a higher frequency of IgA cells and a lower frequency of IgM cells as compared to individuals in the younger age groups. Moreover, young children had a higher frequency of IgG cells in the GC B cell subsets than did individuals in the older age groups. We also observed an abundance of IgM cells among memory B cells and plasmablasts in young children and IgA cells in adults. In summary, the proportion of GC B cells in palatine tonsillar B cells decreases with age, while the proportion of memory B cells increases with age. In addition, Ig isotypes in tonsils preferentially switch from IgM to IgA as individuals age.
- Subjects
B cells; PALATINES; AGE differences; IMMUNOGLOBULINS; TONSILS; DIGESTIVE system diseases
- Publication
Clinical & Experimental Medicine, 2016, Vol 16, Issue 1, p81
- ISSN
1591-8890
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s10238-015-0338-5