Atlas One · Host Biology · Scale 05 — Tissue

Germinal Center

Transient lymphoid microstructure in secondary follicles of lymph nodes and spleen. Site of B-cell affinity maturation via somatic hypermutation (dark zone, AID-driven) and clonal selection (light zone, FDC). Produces high-affinity class-switched antibodies with Tfh support.

Also known as: germinal centre, secondary follicle, GC, germinal center reaction

Scale 05 — TissueScale
draftStatus
2026-06-06Last Reviewed
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germinal-center

Germinal Center

Transient lymphoid microstructure in secondary follicles of lymph nodes and spleen. Site of B-cell affinity maturation via somatic hypermutation (dark zone, AID-driven) and clonal selection (light zone, FDC). Produces high-affinity class-switched antibodies with Tfh support.

Entry Metadata

FieldValue
IDgerminal-center
NameGerminal Center
Statusdraft
Last reviewed2026-06-06
Atlas01-human
Scale05-tissue

Cross-Atlas Connections

containsB Cell containsT Helper Cell containsDendritic Cell modulatesPlasma Cell connects-toSecretory Iga part-ofImmune System

Sources