Follicular dendritic cells: B-cell proliferation and maturation.

Follicular dendritic cells (FDC) play a pivotal role in the initiation and maintenance of the secondary humoral immune response. FDC located in the follicles of secondary lymphoid tissues are part of a special mechanism that handles antigen in a specific antibody-rich environment and are integral members of the antigen transport cell-FDC-iccosome-B-cell axis that leads to the formation of germinal centers, antibody-forming cells, and memory B-cells. This review briefly outlines the basic biology of FDC function and provides a source of pertinent references.