Role of invariant natural killer t cells in patients with tonsillar hypertrophy: the tonsil as an immunological organ

The palatine tonsils are at the entrance of the upper aerodigestive tract acting as immune protection against bacteria and viruses, both ingested and inhaled, and playing an important role in the eradication of pathogens. The results of this study revealed a higher expression of iNKT cell receptors in the peripheral blood of patients with tonsillar hypertrophy compared to healthy controls and also in the patient tissue compared with the matched PBMCs. These results may delineate a new role for iNKT cells in the pathogenesis of this disease. Furthermore, the high level of IFN-γ in palatine related to matched PBMCs as well as in the blood of patients with tonsillar hypertrophy compared to healthy controls may indicate the role of iNKT cells as a pre-activator of Th1 cells.