Lipopolysaccharide-induced in vivo activation of follicular dendritic cells is tumor necrosis factor receptor-1 independent.

It is well recognized that tumor necrosis factor receptor-1 (TNFR1) signaling pathway (with lymphotoxin-β receptor) is of critical importance for the development, activation, and clustering of follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) within the lymphoid follicles. However, further information on the molecular control of these processes is very sparse. Here, we show that intravenous application of lipopolysaccharide induces the clear and prominent morphological signs of FDC development and activation in vivo, which is independent of TNFR1 pathway.