Tonsil-derived mesenchymal progenitor cells acquire a follicular dendritic cell phenotype under cytokine stimulation

► Tonsillar stromal cells had the potential to differentiate into mesenchymal origin. ► Tonsillar stromal cells differentiated into FDC-like cells under cytokine stimulation. ► FDC can be replenished by growth and differentiation of stromal progenitor cells.