Immune functions of nasopharyngeal lymphoid tissue.

This brief review will focus on nasopharynx-associated lymphoid tissue as a unique inductive immune site for B cell responses and plasma cell generation. The anatomical and immunological characteristics of Waldeyer's lymphoid ring should make the nasal route for vaccine administration highly relevant in future clinical trials to stimulate both mucosal and systemic immunity. In this context, the potential immunological consequences of removing both the tonsils and the adenoids have to be considered.