Detection of Cytokine Expression in Human Palatine Tonsils

Abstract

Abnormal regulation of cytokines may contribute to the pathogenesis of habitual tonsillitis and tonsillar focal infection. We examined cytokine gene expression and the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA in tonsillar diseases. Subjects included 11 patients with habitual tonsillitis, three with tonsillar focal infection and six with tonsillar hypertrophy. Freshly isolated mononuclear cells from human palatine tonsils were examined for messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of interleukinla (IL-1α), IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-α) using the RTPCR method, and the presence of EBV DNA using the PCR method. Expression of TNF-amRNA was detected in 11 of 20 tonsils. IL-1αmRNA was detected in two tonsils and IL-2mRNA was detected in one tonsil. No expression of IL-4, IL-6 and IFN-γmRNA was detected. EBV DNA was not detected in any of 20 tonsils. These findings suggest that TNF-α may play an important role in tonsillar diseases.