Isolation of Follicular Dendritic Cells from Human Tonsils and Adenoids. in Vitro Culture

Abstract

Germinal centers of lymphoid follicles are made of lymphoid cells and of accessory cells. Among these are the follicular dendritic cells or FDC’s. They surround lymphoid cells with fine membrane extensions and we have shown that those closed relations are preserved after isolation of the cells from lymphoid tissues (1,2,3,4). To analyze the interactions that may take place between FDC and lymphocytes in such associations, we wanted keep them alive in vitro. For this purpose, we tried to maintain in culture entire human follicles obtained after dissection under biomicroscope and, secondly, to cultivate isolated human FDC. On an other hand we hoped to maintain pure FDC in culture, that means FDC populations without any accompanying lymphocyte. For this purpose we used a culture technic described by Jordan et al. (5). They obtained a rapid degeneration of mice thymic lymphocytes when the cultures were performed at 24°C.