CD40 ligand expression on the surface of colostral T cells.
The proportion of T lymphocytes, mainly CD4 positive, co-expressing the CD40 ligand (CD40-L) was significantly greater (P = 0.001) in the colostrum of 10 breast-feeding mothers than in either autologous or heterologous blood. This surface glycoprotein is a T cell molecule involved in B cell isotype switching and immunoglobulin production with its natural counter-receptor, CD40, expressed by both adult and infant B lymphocytes. As the T cells of newborn infants fail to express the CD40-L when stimulated in vitro, the in vivo upregulation on milk T lymphocytes may be one of the mechanisms through which the mother transfers immune protection to the suckling infant.
Bertotto
A
A
Department of Paediatrics, Perugia University Medical School, Italy.
Castellucci
G
G
Radicioni
M
M
Bartolucci
M
M
Vaccaro
R
R
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000276:immunology*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D023201:CD40 Ligand; D003126:Colostrum / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007112:Immunity, Maternally-Acquired; D008024:Ligands; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D015703:Antigens, CD; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D008024:Ligands; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D023201:CD40 Ligand