LOCALIZATION OF ECTO-5'-NUCLEOTIDASE AND DIVALENT CATION-ACTIVATED ECTO-ATPASE IN CHRONIC TONSILLITIS

The histochemical localisation of two ecto-enzymes, 5'-nucleotidase (5 '-NT) and Mg2+-ATPase, was investigated in hyperplastic and recurrent tonsillitis. Detection of enzymes was performed on frozen sections usi ng the classical lead nitrate method. Activity of 5'-NT was demonstrat ed particularly in the cells of lymphoid follicles and in the basal la yer of the surface tonsillar epithelium. There was no difference in lo calisation of 5'-NT between hyperplastic and recurrent tonsillitis, wh ereas a stronger reaction in follicular mantle zones was observed in r ecurrent tonsillitis compared to hyperplastic tonsillitis. Mg2+-ATPase activity was mainly associated with the cells lining the tonsillar cr ypt, with the interfollicular areas and blood vessels. In recurrent to nsillitis only half of the studied follicular germinal centres express ed Mg2+-ATPase activity, compared to hyperplastic tonsillitis. The sim ilar localisation of 5'-NT and ecto-ATPase in both types of chronic to nsillitis suggests that in inflamed tonsils expression of investigated enzymes probably does not depend on the type of chronic tonsillitis.