Centroblast

CD40 ligand on an activated T helper cell and the B cell CD40 receptor induces centroblasts to express activation-induced cytidine deaminase,^[3] leading to somatic hypermutation, allowing the B cell receptor to potentially gain stronger affinity for an antigen. In the absence of FDC and helper T cell stimulation, centroblasts are unable to differentiate and will undergo CD95-mediated apoptosis.^[4]

nuclear membrane. They are derived from B cells. Immunoblasts are distinguished from centroblasts by being B cell-derived lymphoid cells that have moderate-to-abundant basophilic cytoplasm and a prominent, centrally located, trapezoid-shaped single nucleolus which often has fine strands of chromatin attached to the nuclear membrane (‘spider legs’). In some cases, immunoblasts can show some morphologic features of plasma cells.^[5]

immunoglobulins and are unable to respond to the follicular dendritic cell antigens present in the secondary lymphoid follicles. However, they are able to promote the secretion of immunoglobulins though CD27/CD70 interactions.^[6] B cells begin expressing CD27 at the beginning of the centroblast stage and lose the cell marker after differentiating into centrocytes. CD27 is an important marker for germinal center formation in the lymphoid follicle and is produced by centroblasts interacting with CD28+ helper T cells. The production of the germinal center is important for the production of antibody secreting plasma cells and memory B cells.^[7] After proliferation, centroblasts migrate to the light zone of the germinal center and eventually give rise to centrocytes.^[8]