Follicular Dendritic Cells



Follicular Dendritic Cells (FDCs) have an intricate morphology (structure) (See Figure 1). These cells, which are located in lymphoid nodules (also referred to as "follicles"), have numerous dendrites or thin filiform processes at one point in their life cycles. In culture these dendrites intertwine with one another and form networks very similar to those in the lymph node or in the spleen in vivo. The dendrites in the network bind immune complexes in a periodicity that is pivotal in the binding of immune complexes to B cells in the germinal centers. This binding initiates a specific antibody response to antigens.