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Published on: June 2, 2010
[Electrophoretic lymphocyte motility in tonsils of patients with chronic tonsillitis]
1A.A. Bogomoletz National Medical University, Kiev.
Insights
Electrophoresis motility (EPM) of lymphocytes decreases in patients with chronic tonsillitis. This reduction in EPM suggests a lower number of active lymphocytes in affected individuals.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
Context:
- Chronic tonsillitis is a persistent inflammation of the tonsils.
- Lymphocyte electrophoresis motility (EPM) is a biophysical property reflecting cell surface charge and membrane status.
- Changes in lymphocyte EPM may indicate altered immune cell function.
Purpose:
- To investigate the changes in lymphocyte electrophoresis motility (EPM) in patients with chronic tonsillitis.
- To compare EPM values of lymphocytes from chronic tonsillitis patients with those from healthy controls.
- To explore the relationship between EPM alterations and lymphocyte activity in chronic tonsillitis.
Summary:
- Microelectrophoresis was used to measure the EPM of tonsil lymphocytes in healthy volunteers and chronic tonsillitis patients.
- Lymphocytes from chronic tonsillitis patients exhibited a significant decrease (16%) in the absolute value of EPM compared to controls.
- A higher percentage of lymphocytes with near-zero EPM was observed in patients, suggesting reduced lymphocyte activity.
Impact:
- The study proposes that the decreased EPM in chronic tonsillitis is linked to a reduction in the number of active lymphocytes.
- Findings may contribute to understanding the immunological dysfunction associated with chronic tonsillitis.
- This research could inform potential diagnostic or therapeutic strategies targeting lymphocyte function.
Abstract:
The changes in the electrophoresis motility (EPM) of lymphocytes in the tonsils of patients with chronic tonsillitis were assessed using the method of microelectrophoresis. Tonsil lymphocytes of healthy volunteers were used as controls of these experiments. During this investigation it was shown that the average value of EPM of lymphocytes in the control group was -0.98 +/- 0.02 mumol.cm.V-1.S-1. The absolute value of TPM of lymphocytes of the patients with chronic tonssillitis in average dropped 16% to a value of -0.82 +/- 0.02 mumol.cm.V-1.S-1. The percent composition of lymphocytes, whose EPM was close to 0, is higher in the group of patients with chronic tonsillitis, then in the control group. Mathematical analysis were conducted on the experimental data and on the basis of the results it was proposed that the drop of the absolute value of EPM during chronic tonsillitis is connected with the drop in the amount of active lymphocytes.

