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Updated: Aug 8, 2026
Culture of myeloid dendritic cells from bone marrow precursors
Published on: July 26, 2008
Human follicular dendritic cells in vitro and follicular dendritic-cell-like cells
R Tsunoda1, A Bosseloir, K Onozaki
1Department of Anatomy and Histology, Fukushima Medical College, 1-Hikarigaoka, Fukushima, 960-12, Japan.
Insights
Follicular dendritic cell (FDC)-like cells (FLC) differ from FDC in vitro. Key markers and B cell interactions distinguish FDC, but FLC enhance B cell proliferation, suggesting distinct roles in germinal center reactions.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Human follicular dendritic cell (FDC)-like cells (FLC) are used for in vitro germinal center reaction studies.
- A consensus on whether FLC truly represent FDC in vitro is lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify distinguishing features between FDC and FLC in vitro.
- To clarify the relationship between FDC and FLC in laboratory settings.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of cell surface molecule expression (CD40, CD54, CD49d, MHC-class II, CD106) in long-term cultures.
- Observation of cytokine-dependent emperipolesis of germinal center B cells.
- Assessment of CD40-dependent B cell proliferation and IL-6 production.
Main Results:
- Specific markers (CD40, CD54, CD49d, MHC-class II, CD106) and B cell emperipolesis identified FDC in vitro.
- FLC, unlike FDC, augmented CD40-dependent germinal center B cell proliferation.
- Both FDC and FLC produced significant amounts of IL-6.
Conclusions:
- FLC exhibit distinct characteristics from FDC in vitro, particularly in their effect on B cell proliferation.
- Further research is required to ascertain if FLC are derived from FDC in vitro.
Abstract:
Human follicular dendritic cell (FDC)-like cells (FLC) have been utilized for the in vitro analysis of germinal center reactions. However, there is no consensus whether FLC represent FDC in vitro. The purpose of the present study has therefore been to determine distinguishing features of FDC and FLC in vitro. The expression of CD40, CD54, CD49d, cytokine (gamma-IFN and IL-4)-dependent MHC-class II, and CD106 was observed to be specific for the determination of FDC in long-term culture. The cytokine-dependent emperipolesis of germinal center B cells was establised as another discriminating property for FDC in vitro. In 2 out of 72 long-term cultures of FDC, we encountered dividing cells among the non-dividing population of FDC. The dividing cells expressed accessory molecules similar to those of FDC but showed emperipolesis only for the initial few days of their growth. FDC did not enhance the CD40-dependent proliferation of germinal center B cells; in contrast, FLC augumented it. Both types of cells produced a significant amount of cytokine-dependent IL-6. Further studies are needed to determine whether FLC originate from FDC in vitro.
