Modulation of B lymphocyte proliferation inside the germinal center.

Germinal centers of stimulated lymphoid follicules comprise different microenvironments where B cells proliferate or differentiate into memory B cells or precursors of Ig-producing cells [1]. Follicular dendritic cells (FDC), unique non lymphoid cells, mainly compose these microenvironments. FDC are closely associated with B cells and can be distinguished from other accessory cells in secondary lymphoid tissues by a number of features, as lack of phagocytic activity and a characteristic set of cell surface markers.