Immune Netw.  2001 Apr;1(1):26-31. 10.4110/in.2001.1.1.26.

3C8, a new monoclonal antibody directed against a follicular dendritic cell line, HK

• Lee IY
• Lee JH
• Park WS
• Nam EC
• Shin YO
• Choe JS

• KMID: 2150553
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4110/in.2001.1.1.26

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) play key roles during T cell-dependent humoral immune responses by allowing antigen-specific B cells to survive, proliferate, and differentiate within the FDC networks of secondary follicles, i.e., germinal centers (GC).
METHODS
A novel monoclonal antibody, 3C8, was generated by immunizing with an FDC line HK, in order to understand the molecular signals involved in the FDC-B cell interactions in the microenvironment of the GC.
RESULTS
The 3C8 antibody did not bind to mononuclear cells, including T cells, B cells, and monocytes. Murine L929 and human skin fibroblasts exhibited no or little reactivity to 3C8. However, 3C8 specifically recognized HK cells by flowcytometry. Furthermore, the antigen recognized by 3C8 was restricted to the GC of the human tonsil. Dendritic networks of the GC were intensely stained by 3C8, but cells out side the GC were not.
CONCLUSION
Our result s suggest that the antigen 3C8 may play some unique role on FDCs during the GC reactions.

Keyword

follicular dendritic cell; monoclonal antibody; germinal center

MeSH Terms

B-Lymphocytes
Cell Communication
Dendritic Cells, Follicular*
Fibroblasts
Germinal Center
Humans
Immunity, Humoral
Monocytes
Palatine Tonsil
Skin
T-Lymphocytes