Follicular Dendritic Cell

Follicular Dendritic Cells (FDC) are immune cells whose main function is to process antigen material and present it superficially to other cells of the immune system. Dendritic cells are present in small quantities in tissues that are in contact with the external environment, mainly the skin (where they are often called Langerhans cells) and the inner lining of the nose, lungs, stomach and intestines. They can also be found in an immature state in the blood. Once activated, they migrate to the lymphoid tissues where they interact with T-cells and B-cells to initiate and shape the immune response.

Anti-FDC is useful in the identification of follicular dendritic cell matrix found in normal lymph nodes and tonsillar tissue. This antibody has been found to label cells in approximately 60% of Anaplastic Large-Cell Lymphomas, and approximately 45% of T-cell Lymphomas. This antibody also labels Follicular Dendritic Cell Tumors. Several normal non-lymphoid tissues are labeled with anti-FDC: pancreatic islet cells, gastric chief cells, myelin sheaths, salivary glands, Leydig cells of the testis, and endothelial cells.

Anti-FDC is a mouse monoclonal antibody derived from cell culture supernatant that is concentrated, dialyzed, filter sterilized and diluted in buffer pH 7.5, containing BSA and sodium azide as a preservative.

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1. Cut and mount 3-4 micron formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues on positive charged slides.
2. Air dry for 2 hours at 58° C.
3. Deparaffinize, dehydrate and rehydrate tissues.
4. Subject tissues to heat epitope retrieval using a suitable retrieval solution such as ImmunoDNA Retriever with Citrate (BSB 0020-BSB 0023) or EDTA (BSB 0030-BSB 0033).
5. Any of three heating methods may be used:
   • Electric Pressure Cooker
     Place standoff rack at base of pressure cooker. Add 1-2 inches of distilled water to the pressure cooker and turn heat to high, and incubate for 15 minutes. Open and immediately transfer slides to room temperature.
   • Water Bath Method
     Place tissues/slides in a pre-warmed staining dish or coplin jar containing the ImmunoDNA Retriever with Citrate or EDTA in a water bath set at 95°-99° C. Incubate for 30-60 minutes.
   • Conventional Steamer Method
     Place tissues/slides in a pre-warmed staining dish or coplin jar containing the ImmunoDNA Retriever with Citrate or EDTA in a Steamer, cover and steam for 30-60 minutes.
6. After heat treatment, transfer slides in ImmunoDNA Retriever with Citrate or EDTA to room temperature and let stand for 15-20 minutes.
7. Wash slides with IHC wash buffer or DI water.
8. Continue IHC staining protocol.