An Antigen Depository of the Immune System: Follicular Dentritic Cells

This text offers in-depth theories concerning the cell and its function in the immune system. The functions of the follicular dendritic cell during normal immune responses, as well as in the pathologies associated with HIV infections and lymphomas are examined.

---

This text contains a developed viewpoint on how follicular dendritic cell (FDC) function during normal immune responses as well as in the pathologies associated with HIV infections and lymphomas. Contributions deal with how to isolate and identify FDC both in vivo and in vitro from either human or rodent tissue. Described in detail are the most recent research data concerning the role of FDC in B cell growth and differentiation. Also discussed are the means by which FDC carry out thir cardinal complexes. Finally, the controversial issue of the origin of FDC is presented from two opposing viewpoints.