Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 10, 2026

Efficient Isolation Protocol for B and T Lymphocytes from Human Palatine Tonsils
Published on: November 16, 2015
[The role of CTLA-4 in the pathogenesis of chronic tonsillitis]
1Department of Immunology, Allergy and Immunology Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China.
Abstract:
Objective:The purposes of the present study were to explore the role of CTLA-4 in the pathogenesis on development of chronic tonsillitis, and to provide new possibilities and theoretical basis for the drug therapy of chronic tonsillitis and, from soft regulation of the inflammatory immune response point of view. Method:Tonsil tissues were obtained by tonsillectomy and classified into two groups according to clinical forms of tonsillitis, CT (chronic tonsillitis) group (n=21) and TH (hypertrophy of tonsil) group (n=15). We used HE staining to observe the pathological changes in the structure of tonsil tissue in different groups. We used immunofluorescence (IF) method to determine the differences in expression of CTLA-4 between two groups and their distribution characteristics , and used Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR technique (qRT-PCR) to detect CTLA-4 mRNA expression in the two groups. Result:①HE staining showed the pathogeny structure mainly characterized as the follicular hyperplasia and germinal center in CT group, and obvious "star" phenomenons in TH group. ②Immunofluorescence results showed that the average fluorescence intensity and density of CTLA-4 protein in CT group was significantly higher than in TH group (P<0.05), the difference was statistically significant. ③The qRT-PCR experiment results showed that the expression level of CTLA-4 mRNA in CT group were obviously higher than in HT group (t=6.294, P<0.01), and the differences were statistically significant too. Conclusion:We found CTLA-4 played an important role in the development of chronic tonsillitis disease, suggesting that the mechanism of immunosuppression may exist in the process of chronic tonsil inflammation. Tonsil lymphoid tissue immune suppression provided a new explanation for recurrent tonsillitis, and provides a possibility for the development of new drugs for the treatment of chronic tonsillitis with the exception of surgery recurrent tonsillitis, at the same time for the clinical treatment of chronic tonsillitis in addition to surgery, but the possibility of researching new drugs from the perspective of immunology.
Related Concept Videos
Tonsillitis I: Introduction
Etiology
Three primary contributing factors have been identified.
Tonsillitis II: Management
Pulmonary Hypertension: Classification and Pathogenesis
There are various classifications for PH, each relating to different underlying causes and also...
Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.
Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis
CF is primarily caused by a genetic mutation in a chromosome 7 gene coding for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. The most common gene mutation leading to CF is the ΔF508 mutation,...
COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features
The primary cause for the onset of COPD is cigarette smoking and exposure to air pollution. These hazardous factors initiate a chain reaction within the lungs, resulting in chronic inflammation, damage to the airways, and a...

