Publication: Role of Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Tonsillar Hypertrophy: An Unexplored Enigma
Date
2023
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Nepal Medical Association
Abstract
Abstract
Tonsillar or adenoid hypertrophy is a common childhood finding which can cause significant health problems like respiratory infections and sleep apnea. Though normal growth of children is also attributed to such enlargement, infection, environmental pollutants, allergens, and gastroesophageal reflux are proposed triggering factors for tonsillar hypertrophy. While tonsilar enlargement in adults is more associated with malignancy and chronic infections like the human immunodeficiency virus, the immunology of childhood adenotonsillar hypertrophy is less understood. We postulate that upon stimulation, mesenchymal stem cells are found to reduce the secretion of interferon-gamma but increase the secretion of interleukin-4 from activated T cells. Both of these factors inhibit apoptosis in the tonsillar tissue leading to its hypertrophy. Under the umbrella of evidence, it implicates the role of mesenchymal stem cells in tonsillar hypertrophy. However, further longitudinal large studies are needed to validate the proposition.
Description
Apar Pokharel
Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medical Sciences, Bharatpur, Chitwan, Nepal
Dharmagat Bhattarai
Department of Pediatrics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
Keywords
Interleukin-4, Mesenchymal stem cell, Tonsillar hypertrophy