Epithelial cells as immune effector cells: the role of CD40.
Through the expression of inflammatory mediators and immune-related molecules, epithelial cells function as immune effector cells in a wide variety of tissues; the expression of the CD40 receptor on these cells contributes this role. Engagement of CD40 activates epithelial cells and results in their release of pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators as well as pro-fibrotic molecules. As such, epithelial CD40 has been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory disorders, generation of self-tolerance, and rejection of allografts.
Dugger
Kari
K
Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL 35294-0005, USA.
Lowder
Thomas W
TW
Tucker
Torry A
TA
Schwiebert
Lisa M
LM
D000818:Animals; D019013:CD40 Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology
D019013:CD40 Antigens