This book contains the latest viewpoints on how follicular dentritic cells (FDC) function during normal immune responses as well as in the pathologies associated with HIV infections and lymphomas. Several of the contributions provide details for isolating FDC from human or rodent tissues and identifying them either in vivo or in vitro. Recent experimental observations are described in detail concerning the role of FDC in B-cell growth and differentiation.

The means by which FDC carry out their cardinal feature, i.e., trapping of immune complexes, is explored and the consequences of this function for the generation and maintenance of antibody responses and memory are discussed. Finally, the controversial issue of the origin of FDC is presented from two opposing views, providing the reader with the evidence used to support each argument.