Development of follicular dendritic cells in lymph nodes of B-cell-depleted mice.
We have studied follicular dendritic cells (FDC) in lymph nodes of normal and thymus dysgeneic nude mice depleted of B-cells by chronic treatment with anti-IgM antibodies. We found that B cell depletion was accompanied by the absence of mature FDC as defined morphologically at the ultrastructural level. Only precursor FDC (p-FDC) could be demonstrated. Upon release of B-cell suppression, the repopulation of lymph nodes with B-cells was associated with the reappearance of fully differentiated FDC in primary follicles of nude mice and in secondary follicles of T-cell competent mice. We conclude that mature B-cells and/or B-cell products are required for the development of mature follicular dendritic cells in the mouse lymph node.
Cerny
A
A
Department of Experimental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland.
Zinkernagel
R M
RM
Groscurth
P
P
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005260:Female; D007106:Immune Sera / Q000494:pharmacology; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008212:Lymphocyte Depletion; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008854:Microscopy, Electron
D007106:Immune Sera; D007075:Immunoglobulin M