Why do B cells produce CD40 ligand?
The CD40-CD40 ligand (CD40L) interaction is one of the most important receptor-ligand interactions that occurs during a T dependent immune response. However, while CD40L is expressed on a range of cell types including activated T cells and B cells, dendritic cells granulocytes, macrophages and platelets, only CD40L on T cells is considered by most immunologists when planning experiments or analysing data. The current theory professes that T cells expressing CD40L can provide signals to B cells that induce proliferation, immunoglobulin class switching, antibody secretion, rescue from apoptosis at different times during the life of a B cell and also has a role in the development of germinal centres and the survival of memory B cells. However, the whole story is more complex than presently understood as human and mouse B cells express CD40L on their surface following activation and can release a soluble form of the ligand. This paper hypothesizes how CD40L on B cells may regulate antibody responses and the development of germinal centres.
Wykes
Michelle
M
Queensland Institute of Medical Research, The Bancroft Centre, Herston Road, Brisbane 4006, Australia. michellW@qimr.edu.au
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D019013:CD40 Antigens / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D023201:CD40 Ligand / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D018448:Models, Immunological
D019013:CD40 Antigens; D023201:CD40 Ligand