Follicular dendritic cells

Follicular dendritic cells (FDC) are cells of the immune system found in lymph follicles of secondary lymphoid organs and tertiary lymphoid organs. They are probably not of hematopoietic origin, though they look similar to true dendritic cells due to their filiform dendritic processes, but are of stromal, mesenchymal origin. The term FDC was introduced to distinguish them from other stromal cells localizing in the B cell follicles, the reticular fibroblast cells. FDCs are originally defined as cells within lymphoid follicles, which trap immune complexes.

They assist in B cell maturation by the presentation of intact antigen to the B cells. This occurs in the germinal centers of peripheral lymphoid organs and induces class switching and proliferation.