Objective: To investigate the expression of FasL and ICAM-1 on the HEVs in the hypertrophic tonsils and its clinical significance.
Method: Under the light microscopy, HE and immunohistochemistry methods were used to show the morphology of HEVs, the number of T, B lymphocytes, the expression intensity of FasL and ICAM-1 in 17 patients with the idiopathic tonsillar hypertrophy (ITH) and in 20 patients with the chronic hypertrophic tonsillitis (CHT).
Result: The expression intensity of ICAM-1 on the tonsillar HEVs in ITH group was significantly lower than that in CTH group (P < 0.05), but the intensity of FasL in ITH group was significantly higher than that in CHT group (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: FasL and ICAM-1 expression in the tonsillar HEVs contribute to the CHT and ITH. The former mainly makes IHT developed, and the latter promotes the process of the inflammation.