The germinal center (GC) reaction is the basis of T-dependent humoral immunity against
foreign pathogens and the ultimate expression of the adaptive immune response. GCs …

Within the B-cell follicle of secondary lymphoid organs, germinal center (GC) reactions
produce high affinity antibody-secreting plasma cells (PCs) and memory B-cells necessary …

Germinal centers (GC s) are formed in secondary lymphoid tissues upon immunization with
T‐dependent antigens. In GC s, somatic hypermutation generates B cells with increased …

Germinal centers (GCs) are microanatomical sites of B cell clonal expansion and antibody
affinity maturation. Therein, B cells undergo the Darwinian process of somatic diversification …

The germinal center (GC) is a specialized microstructure that forms in secondary lymphoid
tissues, producing long-lived antibody secreting plasma cells and memory B cells, which …

Highlights•Many pathogenic autoantibodies have undergone somatic mutation and
selection in GCs.•Self-reactive GC B cells can be deleted if target self-antigen is present in …

Germinal centers (GC) are the main sites where antigen‐activated B‐cell clones expand and
undergo immunoglobulin gene hypermutation and selection. Iterations of this process will …

In germinal centres, somatic hypermutation and B cell selection increase antibody affinity
and specificity for the immunizing antigen, but the generation of autoreactive B cells is an …

Highlights•High affinity GC B cells are positively selected or differentiate into plasma
cells.•Strength of stimulus in the light zone determines this decision.•Multiple fates can befall …

Under certain pathological conditions, germinal centers (GCs) form in many atypical sites,
such as the stomach, lung and synovial joints. Thus, understanding the cellular and …