title: The role of CD154 in haematopoietic development.
abstract: CD154 (CD40 ligand, CD40L, gp139) is a co-stimulatory molecule of the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) family. CD154 was originally discovered on T-cells, and was found to be involved in many immune responses including B-cell activation, isotype switching, and germinal centre formation. The expression of CD154 on other haematopoietic and non-haematopoietic cells suggests that CD154 has other functions as well. Indeed, CD154 is involved in many pathological processes, including inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Genetic studies in patients and mice taught us that CD154 might affect haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs), T-cell, B-cell, and dendritic cell (DC) progenitors. Moreover, the development of specific T-cell and DC subsets critically depends on CD154. Furthermore, CD154 is involved in lymphoid malignancies. Here we highlight the role of CD154 in the developing lymphoid system, including the biology of HSPC and lineage-committed T-cell, B-cell, NK, and DC progenitors. Further, the clinical and therapeutic implications of CD154 interactions in lymphopoiesis will be discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Seijkens
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Engel
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tjwa
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lutgens
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D023201:CD40 Ligand / Q000276:immunology*; D019070:Cell Lineage; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology*; D006410:Hematopoiesis / Q000276:immunology; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology*; D038041:Lymphopoiesis
chemical_list: D023201:CD40 Ligand