Germinal center reaction

The germinal center reaction is one critical outcome of helper T-cell-depen dent antigen-specific B-cell responses. Germinal center reactions are the c ulmination of an orchestrated series of intercellular information exchanges discussed here as the serial synapsis model of adaptive immunity. The main purpose of the germinal center reaction is the development of B-cell memor y through. iterative cycles of somatic antigen receptor diversification and the selection of B cells with receptors of best fit. Recent studies provid e insight into the regulation of these complex processes in vivo with new i nformation on the cellular organization of the memory B-cell compartment. ( C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.