title: Dendritic cells capable of stimulating T cells in germinal centres.
abstract: The B cells within the germinal centres of lymphoid organs undergo affinity maturation of their antigen receptors, a critical event for antibody memory. Follicular dendritic cells within the germinal centres retain immune complexes that select the developing B cells for which they have a higher affinity. We have now identified a subset of CD4+ CD11c+ CD3- dendritic cells in the germinal centres. These are strong antigen-presenting cells for T cells, but do not co-stimulate CD40-activated B cells. These dendritic cells probably stimulate germinal centre T cells and aid the complicated processes that are required for the generation of memory B cells.
authors.affiliation: Schering-Plough, Laboratory for Immunological Research, Dardilly, France.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Grouard
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Durand
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Filgueira
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Banchereau
authors.forename: Y J
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D017951:Antigen Presentation; D018845:CD11 Antigens; D017252:CD3 Complex; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D018858:Germinal Center / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000166:cytology
chemical_list: D018845:CD11 Antigens; D017252:CD3 Complex