Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 27, 2026

Isolation of Tonsillar Mononuclear Cells to Study Ex Vivo Innate Immune Responses in a Human Mucosal Lymphoid Tissue
Published on: June 14, 2020
Lymphoid progenitor cells in human tonsils
James A Strauchen1, Lorraine K Miller
1Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, New York, NY 10029, USA.
To investigate the occurrence of lymphoid progenitor cells in human tonsils, we studied tonsils from children and adults by immunohistochemistry by using a panel of antibodies to antigens associated with lymphoid progenitor cells, including terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT), CD10 (CALLA), CD34, CD99 (p30/32mic2), and CD117 (c-kit), and compared them to reactive lymph nodes. Lymphoid progenitor cells, positive for TdT, CD10, and CD99, but not CD34 or CD117, were readily identified in tonsils from children and adults (TdT, 14 of 15; CD10, 15 of 15; CD99, 11 of 15), but were rarely present in lymph nodes (TdT, 1 of 8; CD10, 1 of 8; CD99, 0 of 8). Lymphoid progenitor cells in tonsils were localized to discrete foci at the periphery of lymphoid lobules adjacent to fibrous septae. Lymphoid progenitor cells are present in human tonsils, and the tonsils are a potential site of postnatal lymphopoiesis. The presence of lymphoid progenitor cells in human tonsils should not be confused with lymphoblastic lymphoma or leukemia.
To investigate the occurrence of lymphoid progenitor cells in human tonsils, we studied tonsils from children and adults by immunohistochemistry by using a panel of antibodies to antigens associated with lymphoid progenitor cells, including terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT), CD10 (CALLA), CD34, CD99 (p30/32mic2), and CD117 (c-kit), and compared them to reactive lymph nodes. Lymphoid progenitor cells, positive for TdT, CD10, and CD99, but not CD34 or CD117, were readily identified in tonsils from children and adults (TdT, 14 of 15; CD10, 15 of 15; CD99, 11 of 15), but were rarely present in lymph nodes (TdT, 1 of 8; CD10, 1 of 8; CD99, 0 of 8). Lymphoid progenitor cells in tonsils were localized to discrete foci at the periphery of lymphoid lobules adjacent to fibrous septae. Lymphoid progenitor cells are present in human tonsils, and the tonsils are a potential site of postnatal lymphopoiesis. The presence of lymphoid progenitor cells in human tonsils should not be confused with lymphoblastic lymphoma or leukemia.
Related Concept Videos
Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response
Lymphoid Cells and Tissues
Lymphoid cells consist of various types of immune system cells. These include B and T lymphocytes, which are responsible for producing antibodies and killing infected cells, respectively. Dendritic cells act as messengers between the innate and adaptive...
Primary Lymphoid Organs
The red bone marrow is a soft, spongy tissue nestled in the interior of long bones such as the humerus and femur. It is the site...
Differentiation of Common Myeloid Progenitor Cells
Secondary Lymphoid Organs
The spleen is a vital organ in the lymphatic system, nestled in the upper left side of the abdomen. It is composed of two primary regions: the red pulp and the white pulp, each having distinct functions. The red pulp performs a significant role in blood filtration. It efficiently purges the blood of old or damaged red blood cells and...
Production of Formed Elements
Most HSCs commit to...
