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CD40 ligand increases expression of its receptor CD40 in human coronary artery endothelial cells.

BACKGROUND: Recently, CD40 ligand (CD40L) and its receptor CD40 have been implicated in atherosclerosis. Clinical data showed that elevated CD40L levels are associated with a high risk of cardiovascular events. The aim of this study was to investigate whether CD40L could affect the expression of its membrane receptor CD40 as a feedback mechanism by which CD40L could enhance its functions in human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs). METHODS: The HCAECs were treated with human soluble CD40L, and the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels of CD40 were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis, respectively. The specific effect of CD40L was confirmed by a blocking experiment with antibody against CD40L. Involvements of oxidative stress and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) were also studied with antioxidant seleno-L-methionine (SeMet) and MAPK inhibitors such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) inhibitor. RESULTS: When HCAECs were cultured with CD40L (5 microg/mL) for 24 hours, CD40 mRNA levels were increased by 79% compared with controls (P < .05). Similarly, Western blot analysis showed an 80% increase in CD40 protein levels (P < .05). The CD40L-induced increase in CD40 mRNA levels were blocked specifically by anti-CD40L antibody. Antioxidant SeMet and specific ERK1/2 inhibitor (PD98059) also effectively blocked CD40L-induced CD40 mRNA increase. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that clinically relevant concentration of CD40L increased the expression of its receptor CD40 in HCAECs. The CD40L-induced upregulation of CD40 may be mediated by oxidative stress and ERK1/2 activation. This study suggests a new mechanism by which CD40L could enhance its biologic functions in the vascular system and contribute to endothelial dysfunction and vascular disease.

Antioxidants↗

Epitope-dependent synergism and antagonism between CD40 antibodies and soluble CD40 ligand for the regulation of CD23 expression and IgE synthesis in human B cells.

BACKGROUND: The induction of IgE synthesis in naive B cells requires two T-cell-derived signals: one delivered through CD40 and the other via interleukin-4 (IL-4). The natural counterstructure to CD40 is the CD40 ligand (CD40L). We have asked about the interplay between CD40L and CD40 mAb that recognize distinct epitopes in delivering signals for regulating IL-4-dependent IgE synthesis and the expression of CD23, the low-affinity IgE receptor, in resting B cells. METHODS: After culture of purified human tonsillar B cells with CD40 agonists and IL-4, surface CD23 was determined by flow cytometric analysis. CD23 levels in cell lysates and supernatants were quantified by ELISA, as were those of secreted IgE. RESULTS: With regard to both induction of CD23 and IgE production, soluble CD40L trimer (sCD40LT) showed synergistic interaction with two mAb to CD40 which bind to epitopes located outside the ligand binding site (EA5 and 5C3), but not with a mAb (G28-5) which effectively competes for CD40L binding to CD40. Each of the two noncompeting mAb to CD40 was able to cooperate strongly with sCD40LT in promoting high-level induction of CD23 even in the absence of IL-4, an effect mirrored in the promotion of strong homotypic clustering and high-rate DNA synthesis. G28-5, uniquely, induced a down-regulation in IL-4-induced CD23 expression with time, a change that was accompanied by an increase in the amount of soluble CD23 detected. While the two noncompeting mAb consistently synergized with sCD40LT for the promotion of IL-4-dependent IgE synthesis, sCD40LT and G28-5 (which, by itself, was the most potent of the CD40 mAb at inducing IL-4-dependent IgE production) exhibited mutual antagonism in this regard, the level of which could be quite profound. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that appropriate targeting of CD40 can modulate IgE synthesis either positively or negatively.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Clustering of CD40 ligand is required to form a functional contact with CD40.

Receptor clustering is a key event in the initiation of signaling by many types of receptor molecules. Here, we provide evidence for the novel concept that clustering of a ligand is a prerequisite for clustering of the cognate receptor. We show that clustering of the CD40 receptor depends on reciprocal clustering of the CD40 ligand (gp39, CD154). Clustering of the CD40 ligand is mediated by an association of the ligand with p53, a translocation of acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) to the cell membrane, an activation of the ASM, and a formation of ceramide. Ceramide appears to modify preexisting sphingolipid-rich membrane microdomains to fuse and form ceramide-enriched signaling platforms that serve to cluster CD40 ligand. Genetic deficiency of p53 or ASM or disruption of ceramide-enriched membrane domains prevents clustering of CD40 ligand. The functional significance of CD40 ligand clustering is indicated by the finding that clustering of CD40 on B lymphocytes upon co-incubation with CD40 ligand-expressing T cells depends on clustering of the CD40 ligand and is abrogated by inhibition of CD40 ligand clustering.

Animals↗

CD40 and CD40 ligand (CD154) are coexpressed on microvessels in vivo in human cardiac allograft rejection.

BACKGROUND: CD40 is expressed by a wide variety of cells in the immune system, including endothelial cells. It binds to CD40 ligand ([CD40L] CD154), which was originally reported to be restricted in its expression to early-activated T cells. We report here the expression of CD40 and CD40L in human cardiac allografts. METHODS: A total of 123 consecutive biopsies from 11 human cardiac allograft recipients were analyzed by immunohistochemistry for the expression of CD40 and CD40L. The expression of CD40L was also examined in vitro in homogeneous cultures of umbilical vein endothelial cells by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and by flow cytometry. RESULTS: CD40 was expressed at low levels, and CD40L was minimal or absent in histologically normal biopsies in the absence of CD3+ T-cell infiltrates. In rejection, the expression of CD40 increased on vascular endothelial cells and on graft-infiltrating leukocytes throughout biopsy specimens. Induced expression of CD40 was strongly associated with the presence of CD3+ T-cell infiltrates, acute rejection, and ischemic injury (P<0.05). CD40L was expressed in biopsies with rejection and was prominent on a subset of infiltrating leukocytes as well as on microvascular endothelial cells. In contrast to CD40, staining of endothelial CD40L was focal in most biopsies. Overall, the expression of CD40L correlated with the presence of CD3+ T-cell infiltrates and rejection (P<0.05), but not ischemic injury (P=0.9). To confirm that the endothelium can synthesize CD40L, we also evaluated the expression of endothelial CD40L in vitro. Cultured endothelial cells were found to express little constitutive CD40L that markedly increased after 24 hr of treatment with supernatants from phytohemagglutinin-activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells or by the cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1a, interleukin-4, or interferon-gamma. CONCLUSION: Both CD40 and CD40L are expressed in vivo on infiltrating leukocytes and on microvascular endothelium in human cardiac allograft rejection. We suggest that endothelial cell CD40 and CD40L play a role in human cell-mediated immune responses such as cardiac allograft rejection.

Biopsy↗

A role for CD40-CD40 ligand interactions in the generation of type 1 cytokine responses in human leprosy.

The interaction of CD40 ligand (CD40L) expressed by activated T cells with CD40 on macrophages has been shown to be a potent stimulus for the production of IL-12, an obligate signal for generation of Th1 cytokine responses. The expression and interaction of CD40 and CD40L were investigated in human infectious disease using leprosy as a model. CD40 and CD40L mRNA and surface protein expression were predominant in skin lesions of resistant tuberculoid patients compared with the highly susceptible lepromatous group. IL-12 release from PBMC of tuberculoid patients stimulated with Mycobacterium leprae was partially inhibited by mAbs to CD40 or CD40L, correlating with Ag-induced up-regulation of CD40L on T cells. Cognate recognition of M. leprae Ag by a T cell clone derived from a tuberculoid lesion in the context of monocyte APC resulted in CD40L-CD40-dependent production of IL-12. In contrast, M. leprae-induced IL-12 production by PBMC from lepromatous patients was not dependent on CD40L-CD40 ligation, nor was CD40L up-regulated by M. leprae. Furthermore, IL-10, a cytokine predominant in lepromatous lesions, blocked the IFN-gamma up-regulation of CD40 on monocytes. These data suggest that T cell activation in situ by M. leprae in tuberculoid leprosy leads to local up-regulation of CD40L, which stimulates CD40-dependent induction of IL-12 in monocytes. The CD40-CD40L interaction, which is not evident in lepromatous leprosy, probably participates in the cell-mediated immune response to microbial pathogens.

CD40 Antigens↗

Undetectable CD40 ligand expression on T cells and low B cell responses to CD40 binding agonists in human newborns.

IgG, IgA, and IgE production by newborn B cells is limited both in vivo and in vitro in various activation conditions, whereas IgM production is readily detectable. It has been suggested that the Ig heavy chain switch inability could be the consequence of T and B cell immaturity. As the interaction between CD40 (expressed on B cells) and its ligand CD40-L (expressed on activated T cells) triggers a key signal required for isotype switching, we studied the expression and function of these two components in normal fetuses, newborns, and infants, compared with adults. CD40-L expression was not inducible in 28 of 30 specimens of newborn cord-blood T cells following incubation with PMA and ionomycin, whereas activation markers such as CD69 were inducible. CD40-L expression was triggered by activation of T cells from infants > 3 wk of age. Surprisingly, T cells from 19- to 28-wk-old fetuses also expressed CD40-L following activation. CD40-L expression on newborn T lymphocytes was induced on T cell lines generated in the presence of PHA and maintained with IL-2 following further stimulation with PMA and ionomycin. CD40-L mRNA transcripts and intracytoplasmic protein expression following activation of newborn T cells were strongly decreased, leading to undetectable protein membrane detection. These results point to a possible transcriptional down-regulation of CD40-L expression by neonatal T lymphocytes. In addition, fetal and cord-blood B cells were poorly able to switch to IgG or IgA by stimulation with CD40 agonists (Ab or soluble CD40-L) in the presence of IL-4 or IL-10 as also detected with surface IgD+ adult B cells. Both phenomena could contribute to the neonatal Ig switch inability, although distinct underlying regulatory mechanisms are probably involved, as suggested by different in vivo time courses.

Adult↗

CD40 ligation of rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts regulates RANKL-mediated osteoclastogenesis: evidence of NF-kappaB-dependent, CD40-mediated bone destruction in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether CD40 ligation of rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts (RASFs) is able to induce RANKL expression and osteoclastogenesis in RASFs, and to identify its mechanism of action in patients with RA. METHODS: CD40 of RASFs was ligated with CD40 ligand (CD40L)-transfected L cells or activated T cells. The formation of osteoclasts in cocultures of CD40-ligated RASFs and T lymphocyte-depleted peripheral blood mononuclear cells was evaluated by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining, detection of calcitonin receptor, and resorption pit formation assay. The expression of NF-kappaB, IkappaB alpha, ERK-1/2, phospho-ERK-1/2, p38, phospho-p38, and RANKL was examined by immunoblotting and/or semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: CD40 ligation of RASFs by CD40L-transfected L cells or activated T cells induced RANKL expression and enhanced osteoclastogenesis. CD40 ligation of RASFs also induced activation of ERK-1/2, p38 MAPK, and NF-kappaB and up-regulation of CD40 ligation-induced RANKL expression, whereas osteoclastogenesis was reduced in RASFs transfected with a dominant-negative mutant of IkappaB alpha or by an NF-kappaB inhibitor. However, specific inhibitors of MAPK/ERK-1/2 and p38 MAPK partially blocked the induction of RANKL expression and osteoclastogenesis. Monoclonal antibodies against interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor alpha partially inhibited CD40 ligation-mediated osteoclastogenesis. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that CD40 ligation of RASFs induces RANKL expression mainly via NF-kappaB activation and also results in enhanced osteoclast formation, both of which might play important roles in bone and cartilage destruction in RA. Inhibition of the CD40-CD40L interaction is a potential strategy for the prevention of bone damage in RA.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

Cloning and expression of the ovine CD40 molecule and the inhibition of the mixed lymphocyte reaction by the ovine CD40(e)-EGFP fusion protein.

The CD40 molecule is a member of the tumour necrosis factor receptor (TNFR)-like supergene family and plays a major role as a co-stimulatory molecule in the activation of T cells in response to antigens presented by dendritic cells. In this study, reverse transcription-PCR cloning was used to derive the sequence encoding ovine CD40. The ovine CD40 sequence demonstrated a similarity of 97, 76 and 64% with the bovine, human and murine sequences, respectively, at the nucleic acid level. The cysteine residues characteristic of the TNFR family and N-linked glycosylation sites are conserved. Furthermore, RNA analysis confirmed expression of CD40 mRNA in both ovine dendritic cells from lymphatic drainage and dermal fibroblasts in culture. In addition, cDNA encompassing the extracellular region of ovine CD40 (CD40(e)) was fused 'in-frame' with the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) to generate a fusion protein upon the transfection of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Immunoprecipitation with an anti-GFP monoclonal antibody of a 78 kD a protein from conditioned medium of CHO transfectants confirmed that the CD40(e)-EGFP was secreted in the supernatant. All experiments were controlled with a pEGFP-N1 vector-blank construct. Moreover, the biological activity of ovine CD40(e)-EGFP was demonstrated by its ability to inhibit a two-way mixed lymphocyte reaction. Thus these observations confirm that ovine CD40 blockade inhibits co-stimulation mediated by CD40-CD40L (CD154) interactions as has been reported in murine and human studies.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

High-affinity interactions of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factors (TRAFs) and CD40 require TRAF trimerization and CD40 multimerization.

Signaling by some TNF receptor family members, including CD40, is mediated by TNF receptor-associated factors (TRAFs) that interact with receptor cytoplasmic domains following ligand-induced receptor oligomerization. Here we have defined the oligomeric structure of recombinant TRAF domains that directly interact with CD40 and quantitated the affinities of TRAF2 and TRAF3 for CD40. Biochemical and biophysical analyses demonstrated that TRAF domains of TRAF1, TRAF2, TRAF3, and TRAF6 formed homo-trimers in solution. N-terminal deletions of TRAF2 and TRAF3 defined minimal amino acid sequences necessary for trimer formation and indicated that the coiled coil TRAF-N region is required for trimerization. Consistent with the idea that TRAF trimerization is required for high-affinity interactions with CD40, monomeric TRAF-C domains bound to CD40 significantly weaker than trimeric TRAFs. In surface plasmon resonance studies, a hierarchy of affinity of trimeric TRAFs for trimeric CD40 was found to be TRAF2 > TRAF3 >> TRAF1 and TRAF6. CD40 trimerization was demonstrated to be sufficient for optimal NF-kappaB and p38 mitogen activated protein kinase activation through wild-type CD40. In contrast, a higher degree of CD40 multimerization was necessary for maximal signaling in a cell line expressing a mutated CD40 (T254A) that signaled only through TRAF6. The affinities of TRAF proteins for oligomerized receptors as well as different requirements for degree of receptor multimerization appear to contribute to the selectivity of TRAF recruitment to receptor cytoplasmic domains.

Animals↗

CD40-CD40 ligand.

CD40 is a cell surface receptor that belongs to the tumor necrosis factor-R (TNF-R) family, and that was first identified and functionally characterized on B lymphocytes. Its critical role in T cell-dependent humoral immune responses was demonstrated by patients with the hyper-IgM syndrome, as well as by gene targeting in mice. However, in recent years it has become clear that CD40 is expressed much more broadly, including expression on monocytes, dendritic cells, endothelial cells, and epithelial cells. In addition, the CD40-ligand (CD40-L/CD154), a member of the TNF family, is also expressed more widely than activated CD4+ T cells only. Therefore it is now thought that CD40-CD40-L interactions play a more general role in immune regulation. Collectively these studies have culminated in pre-clinical and clinical studies that are in progress. This article reviews recent developments in this field of research, with main emphasis on (1) structure and expression of CD40 and its ligand; (2) CD40 signal transduction; (3) in vitro function of CD40 on different cell types; and (4) in vivo functions of CD40/CD40-L interactions.

Animals↗

Potential immaturity of the T-cell and antigen-presenting cell interaction in cord blood with particular emphasis on the CD40-CD40 ligand costimulatory pathway.

There are reports of immaturity of the neonatal immune system, which may explain the low incidence of graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) after cord blood transplantation. The CD40 ligand (CD40L)-CD40 interaction is important in regulating the cellular immune response. We hypothesized that the neonatal immune system may show immaturity in this interaction. We studied the function of the CD40L-CD40 interaction in the T-cell interaction with B cells and monocytes in cord blood compared with adult blood in vitro. Consistent with previous reports, CD4+ T cells do not express CD40L after T-cell activation. In whole blood, adult monocytes, but not neonatal monocytes, were activated following T-cell activation. However, the activation of adult monocytes was not dependent on the CD40L-CD40 interaction. Using the CD40L trimer (Lt), we showed that cord B cells have comparable responses to CD40 ligation to those of the adult B cells. Both cord and adult monocytes do not respond as well as B cells and this is probably related to low density of expression of CD40. However, interferon-gamma up-regulated CD40 on adult monocytes but not on cord monocytes. This potentiated the adult monocyte response to CD40 ligation by CD40Lt. Our findings suggest that the neonatal CD40L-CD40 pair is immature in the cellular immune response involving monocytes and that interferon-gamma fails to activate neonatal monocytes for a response to CD40L. These findings suggest that in the inflammatory microenvironment of cord blood transplantation neonatal monocytes may play a minor role in the effector arm of the immune response. This finding may be one of several mechanisms for the low incidence of GVHD that is observed following cord blood transplantation. Also the ligand-receptor immaturity may contribute to the increased susceptibility of newborns to certain infections.

Antigen-Presenting Cells↗

In situ Expression of CD40 and CD40 ligand in psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: The interaction between CD40 and CD40 ligand (CD40L) provides a signal that contributes to the initiation of cellular immune responses. However, little information on the in vivo expression of CD40 and CD40L in cutaneous inflammation has been reported. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the potential role of CD40-mediated signals in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In situ CD40 and CD40L expression was examined immunohistochemically in different stages of psoriatic lesions: fully developed and initial pinpoint. RESULTS: In normal skin, faintly positive immunoreactivity for CD40 was seen in the basal keratinocytes and dermal endothelial cells. These showed almost the same intensity as that seen in psoriatic lesional skin. In the dermal infiltrates of psoriatic lesions, CD40 was intensely expressed and some of these positive cells appeared to be dendritic in shape. Whereas CD40 expression was observed almost in all specimens of psoriatic lesions, the expression of CD40L was predominantly detected in the initial pinpoint lesions of psoriasis. These seemed to be distributed close to CD40-positive cells. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that CD40L-triggered signals could be involved in the early stage of psoriatic lesion formation.

Adult↗

Expression of CD40 and CD40 ligand among cell populations within rheumatoid synovial compartment.

Augmented and prolonged expression of CD40 ligand (CD40L) was recently reported in lymphoid cells from human lupus patients, suggesting that CD40/CD40L pathway was involved in the pathogenesis of systemic autoimmune diseases. This study was thus designed to study the expression of CD40 and CD40L among cell populations within inflammatory joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The result showed that most B cells and monocytes in synovial fluids (SF) expressed CD40. Cultured synovial fibroblasts also stained positive for CD40. Regarding CD40L, we found that T cells as well as B cells could express CD40L. Compared with normal controls, RA patients had higher levels of CD40L+ T cells (8.71 +/- 17.69% vs 1.74 +/- 2.30%, P > 0.05) and CD40L+ B cells (7.71 +/- 7.64% vs 1.12 +/- 1.59% P < 0.05). After in vitro stimulation, T cells from RA patients had higher and longer CD40L expression than T cells from normal peripheral blood. For investigating the effect of CD40 expressed on synovial fibroblasts on TNF-alpha production in joint compartment, we used anti-CD40 antibody to bind CD40 on fibroblasts for one hour and then co-cultured with synovial fluid mononuclear cells. We found that the levels of TNF-alpha decreased in the presence of anti-CD40 antibody. We concluded that there was an intrinsic hyperexpression of CD40L on lymphoid cells within rheumatoid joints, and synovial fibroblasts could contribute to articular inflammation through surface CD40 molecule.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

Expression of CD40 and CD40 ligand in Bowen's disease and squamous cell carcinoma.

CD40 is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor super-family expressed by B cells, monocytes, dendritic cells, epithelial cells and hematopoietic progenitor cells. CD40 has recently been reported to be expressed on several epidermal tumors as well. CD40 on epidermal tumor cells interacts with lymphocytes expressing ligand for CD40 (CD40L) or monoclonal antibodies against CD40 with a significant decrease in proliferation. In this study, we examined the expression of CD40 and CD40L in Bowen's disease and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). CD40 immunoreactivity was observed in a significantly lower proportion of tumor cells from SCC than from Bowen's disease. CD40L mRNA expression was detected in Bowen's disease and SCC by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). CD40-CD40L interactions in epidermal tumors may play a role in the proliferation, and the lack of CD40 in tumor cells from SCC might be involved in the mechanisms of escape from the growth inhibitory effect.

Adult↗

CD40-expressing carcinoma cells induce down-regulation of CD40 ligand (CD154) and impair T-cell functions.

The interaction of CD40 expressed by immunocompetent cells with its ligand CD154 on the surface of T-helper cells plays a crucial role in the immune response. Recently, the presence of CD40 was also demonstrated on a variety of carcinomas. Whereas the critical relevance of CD40 in cytotoxic T-cell priming via dendritic cells is already established, the biological role of CD40/CD154 interactions in nonhematopoetic cells is still unclear. In the present study we demonstrate that CD154 expression density is down-regulated on activated T cells on interaction with CD40+ tumor cells. Naive T cells cocultured with CD40+carcinoma showed impaired functionality as indicated by a reduced frequency of IFN-gamma secreting cells, reduced interleukin 2 secretion, impaired proliferation, and a lack of CD154 re-expression on restimulation. In distinction, T-cell effector lysing capacity was not impaired by CD40-expressing tumor cell targets. The present results suggest that in marked contrast to antigen-presenting cells, CD40 expression on carcinoma cells suppresses T-cell activation. Our findings support the statement that CD40 functions are context dependent and imply a new function for CD40 expressed on nonantigen-presenting cells.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

[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. CONCLUSION: CD40, if over-expressed in tumor cells, could be considered as a potential therapeutic target.

Apoptosis↗

Jak3 is associated with CD40 and is critical for CD40 induction of gene expression in B cells.

CD40 is a receptor that is critical for the survival, growth, differentiation, and isotype switching of B lymphocytes. Although CD40 lacks intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity, its ligation induces protein tyrosine phosphorylation, which is necessary for several CD40-mediated events. We show that engagement of CD40 induces tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of Jak3 as well as of STAT3. Jak3 is constitutively associated with CD40, and this interaction requires a proline-rich sequence in the membrane-proximal region of CD40. Deletion of this sequence abolishes the capacity of CD40 to induce expression of CD23, ICAM-1, and lymphotoxin-alpha genes in B cells. These results indicate that signaling through Jak3 is activated by CD40 and plays an important role in CD40-mediated functions.

B-Lymphocytes↗

CD40 signaling pathway: anti-CD40 monoclonal antibody induces rapid dephosphorylation and phosphorylation of tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins including protein tyrosine kinase Lyn, Fyn, and Syk and the appearance of a 28-kD tyrosine phosphorylated protein.

CD40 plays an important role in B cell activation, proliferation, and Ig class switching. The signal transduction pathway mediated by CD40 was studied using monoclonal antibody (mAb) 626.1 to CD40. Burkitt's lymphoma and Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B cell lines and tonsilar B lymphocytes were treated with the anti-CD40 mAb for various lengths of time. The early events triggered by CD40 were examined by monitoring the changes in tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins with anti-phosphotyrosine mAb. Dephosphorylation of specific proteins ranging between 50-110 kD and the appearance of a 28-kD tyrosine phosphorylated protein were seen within 30 s in human B cell lines. The dephosphorylation was reversed and the 28-kD protein was dephosphorylated in cells stimulated for 1 min. In resting B cells, the appearance of the 28-kD phosphoprotein was observed in 30 s after the addition of the anti-CD40 mAb. The tyrosine phosphorylation of this protein persisted. The patterns of protein tyrosine phosphorylation differed from those induced by an anti-immunoglobulin M mAb. The changes in the state of tyrosine phosphorylation induced by the anti-CD40 mAb were obviated by mAb to CD45, a protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) or by the addition of sodium orthovanadate, a broad PTP inhibitor. They were also blocked by protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitors, herbimycin A and genistein, and PKC and protein serine/threonine kinase inhibitors, H7 and HA1004. In addition, the alteration in the tyrosine phosphorylation of PTKs Lyn, Fyn, and Syk was directly demonstrated. Engagement of CD40 for 30 s induced a transient decrease in tyrosine phosphorylation of these PTKs. These results indicate that the early events in CD40 signaling involve the complex interaction between PTP and protein kinases.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗