# Centroblast

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In [immunology](/source/Immunology), a **centroblast** generally refers to an activated [B cell](/source/B_cell) that is enlarged (12–18 micrometer) and is rapidly proliferating in the [germinal center](/source/Germinal_center) of a [lymphoid follicle](/source/Lymphoid_follicle).[1] They are specifically located in the dark zone of the germinal center.[2] Centroblasts form from [naive B cells](/source/Naive_B_cell) being exposed to [follicular dendritic cell](/source/Follicular_dendritic_cell) [cytokines](/source/Cytokine), such as [IL-6](/source/Interleukin_6), [IL-15](/source/Interleukin_15), [8D6](/source/8D6), and [BAFF](/source/B-cell_activating_factor). Stimulation from [helper T cells](/source/Helper_T_cell) is also required for centroblast development. Interaction between [CD40](/source/CD40) ligand on an activated helper T cell and the B cell CD40 receptor induces centroblasts to express [activation-induced cytidine deaminase](/source/Activation-induced_cytidine_deaminase),[3] leading to [somatic hypermutation](/source/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]**

[Morphologically](/source/Morphology_(biology)), centroblasts are large lymphoid cells containing a moderate amount of [cytoplasm](/source/Cytoplasm), round to oval vesicular (i.e. containing small fluid-filled sacs) nuclei, vesicular [chromatin](/source/Chromatin), and 2–3 small [nucleoli](/source/Nucleoli) often located adjacent to the [nuclear membrane](/source/Nuclear_membrane). They are derived from B cells. [Immunoblasts](/source/Immunoblast) are distinguished from centroblasts by being B cell-derived lymphoid cells that have moderate-to-abundant [basophilic](/source/Basophilic) cytoplasm and a prominent, centrally located, trapezoid-shaped single [nucleolus](/source/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](/source/Plasma_cell).[5]

Centroblasts do not express [immunoglobulins](/source/Immunoglobulin) and are unable to respond to the follicular dendritic cell [antigens](/source/Antigen) 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](/source/CD27) at the beginning of the centroblast stage and lose the cell marker after differentiating into [centrocytes](/source/Centrocyte). CD27 is an important marker for germinal center formation in the lymphoid follicle and is produced by centroblasts interacting with [CD28+](/source/CD28) helper T cells. The production of the germinal center is important for the production of antibody secreting [plasma cells](/source/Plasma_cell) and memory B cells.[2] After proliferation, centroblasts migrate to the light zone of the germinal center and eventually give rise to centrocytes.[7]

## References

1. Victora, Gabriel D. & Nussenzweig, Michel C. (2012-01-01). "Germinal centers". *Annual Review of Immunology*. **30**: 429–457. [doi:10.1146/annurev-immunol-020711-075032](https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-immunol-020711-075032). [ISSN 1545-3278](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/1545-3278). [PMID 22224772](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22224772)

1. Allen, Christopher D. C.; Okada, Takaharu; Cyster, Jason G. (2007-08-24). "Germinal-Center Organization and Cellular Dynamics". *Immunity*. **27** (2): 190–202. [doi:10.1016/j.immuni.2007.07.009](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.immuni.2007.07.009). [ISSN 1074-7613](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/1074-7613). [PMC 2242846](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2242846). [PMID 17723214](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17723214)

1. Boulianne, Bryant; Rojas, Olga L.; Haddad, Dania; Zaheen, Ahmad; Kapelnikov, Anat; Nguyen, Thanh; Li, Conglei; Hakem, Razq; Gommerman, Jennifer L.; Martin, Alberto (2013-12-15). "AID and Caspase 8 Shape the Germinal Center Response through Apoptosis". *The Journal of Immunology*. **191** (12): 5840–5847. [doi:10.4049/jimmunol.1301776](https://doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.1301776). [ISSN 0022-1767](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0022-1767). [PMID 24244021](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24244021)

1. Choe, Jongseon; Li, Li; Zhang, Xin; Gregory, Christopher D.; Choi, Yong Sung (2000-01-01). "Distinct Role of Follicular Dendritic Cells and T Cells in the Proliferation, Differentiation, and Apoptosis of a Centroblast Cell Line, L3055". *The Journal of Immunology*. **164** (1): 56–63. [doi:10.4049/jimmunol.164.1.56](https://doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.164.1.56). [ISSN 0022-1767](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0022-1767). [PMID 10604993](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10604993)

1. Li S, Young KH, Medeiros LJ (January 2018). "Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma". *Pathology*. **50** (1): 74–87. [doi:10.1016/j.pathol.2017.09.006](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pathol.2017.09.006). [PMID 29167021](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29167021)

1. Xiao, Yanling; Hendriks, Jenny; Langerak, Petra; Jacobs, Heinz; Borst, Jannie (2004-06-15). "CD27 Is Acquired by Primed B Cells at the Centroblast Stage and Promotes Germinal Center Formation". *The Journal of Immunology*. **172** (12): 7432–7441. [doi:10.4049/jimmunol.172.12.7432](https://doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.172.12.7432). [ISSN 0022-1767](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0022-1767). [PMID 15187121](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15187121)

1. Mak, Tak W. & Saunders, Mary E. (2006), "Hematopoietic Cancers", *The Immune Response*, Elsevier, pp. 1025–1063, [doi:10.1016/b978-012088451-3.50032-6](https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-012088451-3.50032-6). ISBN 978-0-12-088451-3

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Centroblast](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centroblast) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centroblast?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.