Expression and function of CD40 in rheumatoid arthritis synovium.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the involvement of CD40 in chronic activation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovial monocytes.


METHODS
CD40 expression on RA synovial monocytes was examined by immunostaining. Involvement of CD40 in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) secretion from RA synovial fluid mononuclear cells (SFMC) was examined by blocking with anti-CD40 antibody.


RESULTS
CD40 was expressed on RA synovial monocytes. TNF-alpha secretion from RA SFMC was enhanced by CD40 ligand stimulation. Spontaneous secretion of TNF-alpha from RA SFMC was inhibited by anti-CD40 antibody.


CONCLUSIONS
CD40 was involved in the activation of RA synovial monocytes that leads to TNF-alpha production.
Sekine
C
C
Department of Immunology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Yagita
H
H
Miyasaka
N
N
Okumura
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D019138:Antibodies, Blocking / Q000494:pharmacology; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000032:analysis; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D019013:CD40 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism*; D016466:CHO Cells; D006224:Cricetinae; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009000:Monocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism
D019138:Antibodies, Blocking; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D019013:CD40 Antigens; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha