title: Human follicular dendritic cells: function, origin and development.
abstract: Follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) have important functions in the selection of memory B lymphocytes during germinal center reactions (GCR). They present native antigens to potential memory cells, of which only B cells with high affinity B cell receptors (BCR) can bind. These B lymphocytes survive, whereas nonbinding B cells undergo apoptotic cell death. FDCs are present in follicles of any secondary lymphoid organ and belong to the stromal cells of these organs. Ectopic FDC-formation can be found in a number of autoimmune diseases and/or chronic inflammatory situations. This indicates that the development of FDCs is not restricted to secondary lymphoid organs, but that it is rather a matter of local conditions that drives a precursor cell type into FDC-maturation. A precursor of FDCs has presently not been identified, but phenotypic marker studies, in vitro experiments with fibroblast-like cell lines, and recent data on mesenchymal precursor cells from the peripheral blood suggest a close relation to fibroblast-like cells.
authors.affiliation: Cellular Immunology Group, Department of Cell Biology & Histology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 15, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Kirsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: van Nierop
authors.forename: Cornelis
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: de Groot
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D020566:Dendritic Cells, Follicular / Q000276:immunology*; D018858:Germinal Center / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans