What is the role of primary lymphoid follicles in eliminating B cells that have antigen receptors specific for soluble self antigen?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

To survive, circulating B cells must enter primary follicles where survival signals are delivered by cells in the follicles, including follicular dendritic cells (which are the stromal cells of primary lymphoid follicles). Circulating B cells that fail to enter follicles in secondary lymphoid tissues will die in the peripheral circulation with a half-life of about 3 days. B cells with antigen receptors specific for soluble self antigen are generally rendered anergic in the bone marrow or the circulation. Anergic B cells that enter secondary lymphoid organs are held in the T-cell areas adjacent to primary follicles and are not permitted to penetrate the follicle. As a result, they do not receive the necessary stimulatory signal for survival. Instead, anergic B cells will undergo apoptosis in the T-cell zone. This is an efficient cleansing mechanism and serves to delete potentially autoreactive B cells from the circulation.