The central role of the CD40-ligand and CD40 pathway in T-lymphocyte-mediated differentiation of B lymphocytes.
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.
Lederman
S
S
Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
Cleary
A M
AM
Yellin
M J
MJ
Frank
D M
DM
Karpusas
M
M
Thomas
D W
DW
Chess
L
L
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*
D019013:CD40 Antigens; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D023201:CD40 Ligand