title: Follicular dendritic cell networks of primary follicles and germinal centers: phenotype and function.
abstract: Follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) were identified decades ago by their ability to retain immune complexes and more recent findings indicate that they are a source of B cell attractants and trophic factors. New imaging studies have shown that B cells closely associate with their dendritic processes during migration. Here we will review the properties of these specialized follicular stromal cells and provide an update on the requirements for their maturation into phenotypically distinct cells within germinal center light and dark zones. We will then discuss current understanding of how they help support the B cell immune response.
authors.affiliation: Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, 513 Parnassus Avenue, Box 0414, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143-0414, USA. Chris.Allen@ucsf.edu
authors.forename: Christopher D C
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: Jason G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Cyster
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D017951:Antigen Presentation; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D001693:Biological Transport, Active / Q000276:immunology; D020566:Dendritic Cells, Follicular / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D018858:Germinal Center / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D051379:Mice; D019899:Paracrine Communication; D051381:Rats; D017455:Receptors, IgE / Q000276:immunology; D017452:Receptors, IgG / Q000276:immunology; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D017455:Receptors, IgE; D017452:Receptors, IgG