Germinal-centre reactions in allergic inflammation.
Primary and secondary immune responses in the germinal centres of lymphoid organs have been studied in the past. There is now compelling evidence of a third stage in the immune response, in 'tertiary lymphoid organs' that develop at sites of chronic inflammation in response to persistent local antigen challenge. Germinal-centre-like reactions are well-documented in the target organs of autoimmune diseases. Here, we review recent evidence that they also occur at sites of allergic inflammation.
Gould
Hannah J
HJ
Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, UK. hannah.gould@kcl.ac.uk
Takhar
Pooja
P
Harries
Helen E
HE
Durham
Stephen R
SR
Corrigan
Christopher J
CJ
D000818:Animals; D018858:Germinal Center / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D017578:Immunoglobulin Class Switching; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
D007073:Immunoglobulin E