[Functional modulating effect of CD40 ligand on CD40-transfected human lung carcinomas].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the modulating effect of CD40 ligand (CD40L, CD154) on CD40-transfected human lung carcinomas and to assess the potential of CD40 as a therapeutic target.


METHODS
Tumor cells of a CD40-negative lung cancer cell lines (GLC-82) were transfected with a vector expressing CD40 cDNA. The transfected cell line, GLC-82/CD40, was shown to express high levels of CD40. GLC-82/CD40 cells after being exposed to 0.1 micro g/ml CD40L were examined for their surface expression, cell cycle, apoptosis and cell growth by flow cytometry and MTT assay.


RESULTS
The expression of MHC-I, ICAM-1 and Fas in GLC-82/CD40 cells was significantly increased, whereas that of EGFR was decreased. Cell proliferation was significantly inhibited by CD40L with an inhibition rate of 30% on day 5, but no change in cell cycle. All of the changes disappeared after 48 h incubation with CD40L. More significant changes were observed in Calu-3 cell lines which expressed high levels of CD40, but the CD40-negative GLC-82 cells were unresponsive to CD40L. None of the 3 cell lines showed significant changes in apoptosis upon CD40L treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
CD40, if over-expressed in tumor cells, could be considered as a potential therapeutic target.
Cui
Wei
W
Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, PUMC&CAMS, Beijing 100730, China. wendycuiwei@hotmail.com
Li
Long-Yun
LY
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D015153:Blotting, Western; D019013:CD40 Antigens / Q000502:physiology*; D023201:CD40 Ligand / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D014162:Transfection
D019013:CD40 Antigens; D023201:CD40 Ligand