title: Epithelial cells as immune effector cells: the role of CD40.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL 35294-0005, USA.
authors.forename: Kari
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dugger
authors.forename: Thomas W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Lowder
authors.forename: Torry A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Tucker
authors.forename: Lisa M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Schwiebert
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019013:CD40 Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D019013:CD40 Antigens