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follicular dendritic cells
Friday 24 October 2003
follicular dendritic cell
Images
Follicular dendritic cells. Paired, often squared nuclei. Small central nucleolus. More "delicate" than centroblasts
Synopsis
Paired, often squared nuclei.
Small central nucleolus.
More "delicate" than centroblasts
In reactive conditions, FDC in each of the five follicular zones have distinct ultrastructural features, reflecting the different three-dimensional structures and functions of these zones.
The FDC framework may be supported by some characteristic factors, including desmosome-like junctions between FDC and the expression of fibronectin and laminin receptors and caldesmon on FDC.
FDC, especially in the light zone, express various cytokine receptors, but produce only one cytokine, TGF-beta. The outer zone may not only be a cellular pathway in the LF, but may also provide a site for germinal center B cell proliferation, and the FDC-lymphocyte cluster is not the site of germinal center B cell division.
In patients with auto-immune diseases, such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and rheumatoid arthritis, FDC may be in a hyperfunctional state, whereas those in patients with immunosuppressive disorders, such as Kimura disease and AIDS, may be in a dysfunctional state.
FDC may be derived from fibroblastic reticulum cells in lymphatic tissues rather than in bone marrow cells. The data discussed in this review provide fascinating insight into the roles of FDC, which are intimately related to the migration, proliferation, cell selection and differentiation of B cells in secondary LF.
Pathology
follicular dendritic cell hyperplasia
follicular dendritic cell sarcoma (FDCS)
follicular dendritic cell tumor
References
Imal Y, Yamakawa M. Morphology, function and pathology of follicular dendritic cells. Pathol Int. 1996 Nov;46(11):807-33. PMID: 8970191