Spontaneous DNA synthesis in tonsillar lymphocytes and its clinical implications

Spontaneous DNA synthesis (SDS) in tonsillar lymphocytes was investigated in 58 cases by [3H]-thymidine incorporation under a certain culture condition without any mitogens. Tonsillar lymphocytes showed an extremely higher uptake of [3H]thymidine 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.