FOLLICULAR DENDRITIC CELLS IN MAMMALS – AN OVERVIEW

Abstract

Dendritic cells (DCs) are antigen-presenting cells. They recognize antigens and can present these antigens to naïve T lymphocytes. DCs play an important part in the mechanism of adaptive immunity. Namely, they control and regulate adaptive immune responses. DCs secrete cytokines involved in the removal of pathogenic agents. They represent the boundary between innate and adaptive immunity. We can see these cells in lymph nodes, spleen, mucosa and other parts of a body in mammals. Several kinds of dendritic cells differ in positions, structure and functions. One type of DCs is follicular dendritic cells (FDCs). FDCs are located in lymphoid follicles in mammals. FDCs have the main role in binding and retaining antigens by linking to complexes (mainly complement and immune). After they present these pathogenic agents to the germinal center (GC) of B lymphocytes and initiate the secondary immune response. FDCs as well as other DCs play an important part in effective humoral response towards pathogenic agents. Most studies about FDCs are in human and mice and there is a lack of studies that concentrate on bovine follicular dendritic cells (BFDCs). This review provides a brief overview of FDCs in mammals.