title: The central role of the CD40-ligand and CD40 pathway in T-lymphocyte-mediated differentiation of B lymphocytes.
abstract: This review summarizes recent findings concerning the role of CD40-ligand and CD40 interactions in B-cell differentiation. CD40-ligand on helper CD4+ T lymphocytes interacts with CD40 on B cells and directs the selection and differentiation of clones of B lymphocytes to generate specific antibody-dependent immune responses. CD40-ligand is necessary for normal B-cell differentiation and plays several distinctive roles in this multistage process. The CD40 signaling pathway that normally regulates B-cell death appears to be usurped by the Epstein-Barr virus to mediate B-cell transformation.
authors.affiliation: Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lederman
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Cleary
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Yellin
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Frank
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Karpusas
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chess
mesh_terms: D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D019013:CD40 Antigens / Q000502:physiology*; D023201:CD40 Ligand; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D006801:Humans; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D019013:CD40 Antigens; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D023201:CD40 Ligand