Role of tonsillar chronic inflammation and commensal bacteria in the pathogenesis of pediatric OSA

LINDYBETH SARMIENTO VARON; PABLO M. FERNÁNDEZ; GLADYS BECCAGLIA; CLAUDIA BARBERIS; BIBIANA PAOLI; JAVIER DE ROSA; LUIS ARIEL BILLORDO; NICOLAS SPADA; CARLOS VAY; ELOISA ARANA; RAQUEL RODRIGUEZ; PLÁCIDA BAZ; F. TATIANA MENDOZA; MARIA ELENA ARABOLAZA

BioXriv

ISSN National Centre for the USA

Año: 2021

2692-8205

Immune responses at the boundary between the host and the world beyond are complex andmucosal tissue homeostasis relies on them. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a syndrome sufferedby children with hypertrophied tonsils. We uncovered a crucial role of pro-inflammatory tonsillar Band T cells in sustaining hypertrophy and hyperplasia by producing TNF and IL17, respectively.We detected prominent levels of expression of CD1d by tonsillar stratified as well as reticularepithelium, which have not previously been reported. By combining bacterial culture from thetonsillar core and subsequent identification of the respective isolates, we determined the mostprevalent species within the cohort of OSA patients. Although the isolated species are considerednormal oropharyngeal commensals in children, we confirmed their capacity to breach the epithelialbarrier. Our work shed light on the pathological mechanism underlying OSA, highlighting therelevance taken by the host immune system when defining infection versus colonization