Many cytotoxic CD8+ T cell responses are dependent on the interactions between CD40 ligand on the helper CD4+ T cell and CD40 on the APC. Although CD40 triggering of dendritic cells (DC) has been shown to mature the DC by increasing the level of expression of costimulatory molecules and inducing IL-12 secretion, the precise mechanisms by which CD40-CD40 ligand interactions allow DC to drive CTL...

Substantial evidence indicates that signaling through the CD40 receptor (CD40) is required for germinal center (GC) and memory B-cell formation. However, it is not fully understood at which stages of B-cell development the CD40 pathway is activated in vivo. To address this question, we induced CD40 signaling in human transformed GC B cells in vitro and identified a CD40 gene expression signatur...

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded protein latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) is essential for EBV-mediated B cell transformation and plays a critical role in the development of post-transplant B cell lymphomas. LMP1 also contributes to the exacerbation of autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). LMP1 is a functional mimic of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) supe...

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) B cells become sensitive to Fas (CD95)-mediated apoptosis 3 to 5 days after CD40 ligation. However, CD4+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) can kill CLL B cells via a Fas-ligand (CD178)-dependent process within 24 hours after CD40 cross-linking, when ligation of CD95 alone is insufficient to induce apoptosis. In addition to CD95, CD40-activated CLL cells also expr...

Background: T helper 1 and T helper 17 cells play important roles in immunity against foreign invaders. Differentiation of these Th subsets is affected by state of maturation and cytokines that are produced by dendritic cells (DCs). Curdlan is a linear (1→3)-β- glucan and has shown activity against tumors and infectious agents. Objective: This study aims to investigate whether curdlan plays its...

Background: Dendritic cells (DCs) are ideal accessory cells in the field of gene therapy. Delivery of DNA and siRNA into mammalian cells is a useful technique in treating various diseases caused by single gene defects. Selective gene silencing by small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN)s is an efficient method for the manipulation of cellular functions. An effic...

PURPOSE To determine whether CD40-CD40 ligand (CD40L) interaction plays a role in corneal inflammatory responses, the expression of CD40 and CD40L on normal human cornea was investigated. In addition, using cultured human corneal epithelial (HCE) and human corneal stromal (HCS) cells, the regulation of CD40 expression in human corneal cells investigated, including that induced by proinflammator...

Previous work has shown that agonistic Abs to CD40 (anti-CD40) can boost weak CD8 T cell responses as well as substitute for CD4 T cell function during chronic gammaherpes virus infection. Agonistic anti-CD40 treatment has, therefore, been suggested as a potential therapeutic strategy in immunocompromised patients. In this study, we investigated whether agonistic anti-CD40 could substitute for ...

The CD40 surface membrane molecule plays an important role in the activation of mature human B cells, but its role in earlier stages of B lineage development is unknown. Here, we have investigated the effects of triggering the CD40 antigen on B cell precursors (BCP) by crosslinking with anti-CD40 antibody presented by Fc gamma-receptor type II-transfected murine Ltk- cells (CD40 system). CD10+ ...

Interaction between CD154 (CD40 ligand) on activated T lymphocytes and its receptor CD40 has been shown to be critically involved in the generation of cell-mediated as well as humoral immunity. CD40 triggering activates dendritic cells (DC), enhances their cytokine production, up-regulates the expression of costimulatory molecules, and induces their maturation. It is unknown how stimulation of ...