Follicular Dendritic Cells Catalyze Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) Activation in the Germinal Center Microenvironment by Secreting the Serine Protease HGF Activator

摘要: Ag-specific B cell differentiation, the process that gives rise to plasma cells and memory cells, involves formation of germinal centers (GC). Within GC microenvironment, multiple steps proliferation, selection, maturation take place, which are controlled by BCR in concert with cytokines contact-dependent signals from follicular dendritic (FDCs) T cells. Signaling multifunctional cytokine hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) its receptor MET has been shown induce integrin-mediated adhesion VCAM-1, is expressed FDCs. In present study we have examined expression regulatory components HGF/MET pathway, including HGF activator (HGFA), within secondary lymphoid organ microenvironment. We show both centroblasts HGFA Because a potent survival for malignant may also serve as normal Furthermore, demonstrate FDCs major source Both dark zone (CD21high/CD23low), but not light (CD21high/CD23high). These findings suggest provided help regulate survival, and/or MET-positive centroblasts.