Spontaneous Dna Synthesis in Tonsillar Lymphocytes and Its Clinical Implications

Abstract

Spontaneous DNA synthesis (SDS) in tonsillar lymphocytes was investigated in 58 cases by [³H]-thymi-dine incorporation under a certain culture condition without any mitogens. Tonsillar lymphocytes showed an extremely higher uptake of [³H]thyrnidine than peripheral blood lymphocytes. Cells exhibiting SDS were mainly B cells, but, however, they needed the helper functions of T cells and glass-adherent cells to synthesize DNA. SDS in tonsillar lymphocytes decreased with age and was lowest in the 21–30 year age group. SDS in cases with complications such as chronic sinusitis, nasal allergy or secretory otitis media was significantly higher than that in cases with no complications.