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Are follicular dendritic cells really good for nothing?

Nature Reviews Immunology volume 3, pages 764–769 (2003)Cite this article

Abstract

Follicular dendritic cells (FDCs), which reside in the primary B-cell follicles and germinal centres of lymphoid tissues, can sequester antigen in the form of immune complexes and are thought to be pivotal to the germinal-centre reaction and the maintenance of immunological memory. But, many recent studies question the importance of FDCs and their bound immune complexes in B-cell responses. This article asks whether we can truly rule out a requirement for these cells in host defence.

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Figure 1: Morphology of a follicular dendritic cell.
Figure 2: Structural relationship between the FDC network and germinal-centre B cells that are dividing, undergoing apoptosis and downregulating the expression of their B-cell receptor.
Figure 3: Averting apoptosis.
Figure 4: Developing and maintaining serum antibody titres.

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Acknowledgements

I am indebted to all the people with whom I have had interesting discussions on the topics presented here. I would especially like to thank C. Herbert and S. Herren for their excellent technical assistance throughout the years.

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  1. NovImmune S.A., 64 Avenue de la Roseraie, Geneva, CH-1205, Switzerland

    Marie H. Kosco-Vilbois

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DATABASES

LocusLink

8D6

AID

BCL6

CD21

CD22

CD23

CD32

CD35

CD44

CD45

CD46

CD55

CD59

CD86

CD95

FLIP

ICAM1

IL-6

LFA1

LTα

SHP1

VCAM1

VLA4

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Kosco-Vilbois, M. Are follicular dendritic cells really good for nothing?. Nat Rev Immunol 3, 764–769 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/nri1179

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nri1179

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