Reaction of the Palatine Tonsillar Immunocompetent Cells to Irrigation of Crypts by Suspension of Silica Nanoparticles under Conditions of Chronic Tonsillitis

We studied the response of neutrophils, macrophages, and mast cells to local application of silica nanoparticles (10-20 nm). Histological examination of tonsillar postoperative material from 6 patients aged 24-44 years with recurrent tonsillitis was carried out. Irrigation of the tonsillar lacunae was carried out over 5 days before bilateral tonsillectomy: on the right by Polysorb MP suspension (1 g/liter), on the left by saline. The contact of nanoparticles with the mucosa led to a decrease in the number of cells expressing myeloperoxidase (p=0.02) and an increase in the count of CD68+ cells (p=0.04); the count of mast cells remained unchanged. Local use of medical adsorbent based on silica nanoparticles induced changes in cells due to their resorption by the tissue. Positive chemotaxis of CD68+ macrophages revealed in the tonsillar lymphoid tissue attested to stimulation of non-specific immunity and inductive phase of specific immunity. The authors hypothesized that internalization of medical nanoparticles by resident phagocytes of the mucosa could support targeted biodistribution of drugs in the palatine tonsils.