title: Coexpression of CD40 and CD40 ligand in B-cell lymphoma cells.
abstract: CD40 ligand (CD40L) is involved in the T-cell-dependent regulation of B-cell growth and survival and can rescue normal germinal centre B cells and several types of malignant B cells from apoptosis in vitro. We have previously reported that serum of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia contained elevated levels of biologically active soluble CD40L (sCD40L). Whether an augmented CD40L pathway exists in patients with other types of B-cell lymphoid malignancies and the source of native sCD40L in these patients is currently unknown. Using a sensitive ELISA assay, soluble CD40L (sCD40L) was detected in the sera of both healthy individuals and patients with haematological malignancies; however, its level was significantly elevated only in patients with B-cell lymphomas (P<0.0001). Several types of malignant B cells coexpressed CD40 and CD40L proteins, and CD40L mRNA was detected in purified resting malignant B cells. The dual expression of CD40 and CD40L in B cells and the presence of native sCD40L in human serum suggest that a direct T-B-cell contact may not be required for CD40L delivery to B cells. This data raises the possibility that an autocrine cytokine loop involving CD40L may contribute to the growth regulation of benign and malignant B cells in vivo.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Hematology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030, USA.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Clodi
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Asgary
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: K O
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Kliche
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cabanillas
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Andreeff
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Younes
mesh_terms: D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D019013:CD40 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism*; D023201:CD40 Ligand; D006801:Humans; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000276:immunology*; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D019013:CD40 Antigens; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D023201:CD40 Ligand