Analysis of CD40-CD40 Ligand Interactions in the Regulation of Human B Cell Function

• Published in: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences Vol. 815; no. 1; pp. 372 - 380
• Main Authors: LIPSKY, PETER E., ATTREP, JEANNE F., GRAMMER, AMRIE C., McILRAITH, MELISSA J., NISHIOKA, YUICHI
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 05.04.1997
• Subjects: Animals; Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte - immunology; Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte - metabolism; B-Lymphocytes - cytology; B-Lymphocytes - immunology; B-Lymphocytes - metabolism; Baculoviridae; CD40 Antigens - metabolism; CD40 Ligand; Cell Division; Cells, Cultured; Humans; Membrane Glycoproteins - metabolism; Spodoptera; T-Lymphocytes - immunology; T-Lymphocytes - metabolism
• ISSN: 0077-8923; 1749-6632
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1997.tb52088.x

CD40-CD40 ligand interactions play an essential role in T cell/B cell collaboration. The data presented in this review have served to widen the scope of CD40-CD40 ligand interactions to include initial activation, proliferation, differentiation, and isotype switching of B cells, as well as subsequent downregulation of B cell function. Moreover, CD40 ligand expression by activated B cells is likely to play an essential role in facilitating ongoing responses of stimulated B cells maturing in germinal centers. Finally, CD40 expression by activated T cells may also play an important role in regulating the function of helper T cells within germinal centers. In summary, emerging data have expanded the role of CD40-CD40 ligand interaction during T cell/B cell collaboration and have emphasized its potential to regulate many of the functions of both partners in this essential interaction involved in antibody production.