Germinal center B cell

Germinal center B cells are a specialized population of B lymphocytes that transiently reside in organized structures (germinal centers) within the follicles of secondary lymphoid organs (lymph nodes, spleen, Peyer's patches)[1][2][4]. Upon antigen stimulation and help from T follicular helper cells, these B cells undergo rapid proliferation, somatic hypermutation, and affinity-based selection, leading to the generation of high-affinity antibody-secreting plasma cells and memory B cells. The germinal center reaction is anatomically and functionally divided into a “dark zone” (site of proliferation and mutation—centroblasts) and a “light zone” (site of selection—centrocytes)[1][2][3]. Germinal center B cells are essential for effective long-term immunity, but aberrations in their development or selection can result in lymphomas or autoimmunity[1][2][4][5][6]. This entry is not a conventional therapeutic target but rather a critical immune cell population with substantial biological and pathological importance.

Other names

GC B cellcentroblast (dark zone form)centrocyte (light zone form)