title: Regulation of CD40 ligand expression in systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: Production of pathogenic autoantibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) requires T cell help, along with ligation of the B cell surface immunoglobulin receptor by antigen. It is likely that macrophages, dendritic cells, and endothelial cells are also activated by interactions with T cells and contribute to lupus pathology. CD40 ligand (CD40L, CD154), a member of the tumor necrosis factor family of cell surface molecules, mediates these contact dependent signals delivered by CD4 + T helper cells to CD40 + target cells. Recent data from SLE patients and murine lupus models have demonstrated prolonged expression of CD40L on lupus T cells and its capacity to mediate excessive B cell activation. This review summarizes the current information regarding transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of CD40L expression in normal and SLE T cells. More complete characterization of the mechanisms that regulate the magnitude and duration of CD40L expression should suggest new approaches to modulate this promising therapeutic target.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Hospital for Special Surgery and Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York City, New York, USA. crowm@hss.edu
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Crow
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Kirou
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D019013:CD40 Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D023201:CD40 Ligand / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D015398:Signal Transduction; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D019013:CD40 Antigens; D023201:CD40 Ligand