Novel pathways of antigen presentation for the maintenance of memory

Follicular dendritic cells (FDC) store native antigen for long periods in lymphoid follicles and so provide a source of continued stimulation for specific B cells. The expression of MHC class II by FDC suggested they might act as antigen-presenting cells for MHC class II-restricted T cells. We show here, however, that the MHC class II molecules found on their surface are not synthesized by the FDC but are picked up from surrounding B cells in germinal centres. Although FDC by themselves cannot present native antigen to T cells, acquired MHC class II-peptide complexes can be recognized by T cells. The true physiological role of FDC seems to be as long-term antigen depots. We demonstrate that antigen localized onto FDC in vivo can be retrieved by antigen-specific B cells, which in turn process and present it to T cells. These presentation pathways are likely to be crucial in both the maintenance of long-term immune responses and the continued survival of memory cells.