Roles of T follicular helper cells in the pathogenesis of adenoidal hypertrophy combined with secretory otitis media

The aim of this study was to investigate the roles of T follicular helper (Tfh) cells in secretory otitis media (SOM) combined with adenoidal hypertrophy (AH). Patients with AH or AH combined with SOM admitted to the Yancheng No. 1 People's Hospital from December 2012 to December 2014 were included. Fourteen age-matched healthy individuals received physical examinations in the hospital served as control. The venous Tfh was determined using flow cytometry, and CD3 + CD4 + CXCR5 + T lymphocytes were defined as Tfh cells. Serum inflammatory factors including IL-8, IL-1b, IL-6, IL-10, TNF, IL-12p70, IL-21, and IgE were determined using commercial kits. Compared with the AH group, the number of CD4 + CXCR5 + T cells in peripheral blood of the AH combined with SOM group showed significant increase. Statistical differences were noticed in the number of the number of CD4 + CXCR5 + T cells in moderate and severe AH groups compared with that of the control group. Statistical differences were identified in the proportion of CD4 + CXCR5 + T cells in the adenoidal tissues between the AH combined with SOM group and AH group (P < .05). For the CD4 + CXCR5 + T cells in adenoidal tissues, no statistical differences were noticed between the moderate and severe AH groups (P > .05). The number of CD4 + CXCR5 + T cells was positively correlated to the serum IL-21. Nevertheless, no correlation was noticed between CD4 + CXCR5 + T cell and serum IL-8, IL-6, IL-10, and IgE. Tfh is involved in the AH combined with SOM in children. Besides, serum IL-21, IL-8, IL-6, IL-10, and IgE may be involved in the onset of SOM in children.