title: Molecular interactions of FDCs with B cells in aging.
abstract: Follicular dendritic cells (FDCs), as accessory cells to B cells, promote germinal center (GC) development. Age-related defects in the role of FDCs are well documented in vivo. In old mice, FDCs bind fewer immune complexes (ICs) and produce few iccosomes for endocytosis by B cells, antigen processing, and presentation to T cells. We recently studied whether these defects are due to changes in the FDC microenvironment or to changes in FDCs and their surface molecules. In vitro evidence suggests that age-related defects in both B cell stimulation via the BCR and co-stimulation via CD21/CD21L are related to IC-trapping by FDCs in vivo-a defect which is repairable, at least, in vitro.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Immunology Group, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia Campus, P.O. Box 980709, Richmond 23298-0709, USA. aszakal@hsc.vcu.edu
authors.forename: Andras K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Szakal
authors.forename: Yüksel
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Aydar
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Balogh
authors.forename: John G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Tew
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D020566:Dendritic Cells, Follicular / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D011971:Receptors, Immunologic