Follicular dendritic cells (FDC) are cells of the immune system found in lymph follicles of secondary lymphoid organs and tertiary lymphoid organs.[1] They are probably not of hematopoietic origin, though they look similar to true dendritic cells due to their filiform dendritic processes, but are of stromal, mesenchymal origin.[2] The term FDC was introduced to distinguish them from other stromal cells localizing in the B cell follicles, the reticular fibroblast cells. FDCs are originally defined as cells within lymphoid follicles, which trap immune complexes.
They attract B-cells with CXCL13 secretion; assist them in their maturation, presenting intact antigens. This occurs in the germinal centers of peripheral lymphoid organs and induces class switching and proliferation.
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