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PubMed2004

Role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2) in distinct and overlapping CD40 and TNF receptor 2/CD120b-mediated B lymphocyte activation.

Members of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) family play a variety of roles in the regulation of lymphocyte activation. An important TNFR family member for B cell activation is CD40. CD40 signals stimulate B cell TNF-alpha secretion, which subsequently signals via TNFR2 (CD120b) to enhance B cell activation. Although the function of the pro-apoptotic and pro-inflammatory receptor TNFR1 (CD120a) has been the subject of much research, less is understood about the distinct contributions of CD120b to cell activation and how it stimulates downstream events. Members of the tumor necrosis factor receptor family bind various members of the cytoplasmic adapter protein family, the tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factors (TRAFs), during signaling. Both CD40 and CD120b bind TNF receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2) upon ligand stimulation. Wild type and TRAF2-deficient B cells expressing CD40 or the hybrid molecule (human) CD40 (mouse)-CD120b were examined. CD40- and CD120b-mediated IgM secretion were partly TRAF2-dependent, but only CD40 required TRAF2 for c-Jun N-terminal kinase activation. CD40 and CD120b used primarily divergent mechanisms to activate NF-kappaB, exemplifying how TNFR family members can use diverse mechanisms to mediate similar downstream events.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗
PubMed2005

LMP1 protein from the Epstein-Barr virus is a structural CD40 decoy in B lymphocytes for binding to TRAF3.

Epstein-Barr virus is a human herpesvirus that causes infectious mononucleosis and lymphoproliferative malignancies. LMP1 (latent membrane protein-1), which is encoded by this virus and which is essential for transformation of B lymphocytes, acts as a constitutively active mimic of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) CD40. LMP1 is an integral membrane protein containing six transmembrane segments and a cytoplasmic domain at the C terminus that binds to intracellular TNFR-associated factors (TRAFs). TRAFs are intracellular co-inducers of downstream signaling from CD40 and other TNFRs, and TRAF3 is required for activation of B lymphocytes by LMP1. Cytoplasmic C-terminal activation region 1 of LMP1 bears a motif (PQQAT) that conforms to the TRAF recognition motif PVQET in CD40. In this study, we report the crystal structure of this portion of LMP1 C-terminal activation region-1 (204PQQATDD210) bound in complex with TRAF3. The PQQAT motif is bound in the same binding crevice on TRAF3 where CD40 is bound, providing a molecular mechanism for LMP1 to act as a CD40 decoy for TRAF3. The LMP1 motif is presented in the TRAF3 crevice as a close structural mimic of the PVQET motif in CD40, and the intermolecular contacts are similar. However, the viral protein makes a unique contact: a hydrogen bond network formed between Asp210 in LMP1 and Tyr395 and Arg393 in TRAF3. This intermolecular contact is not made in the CD40-TRAF3 complex. The additional hydrogen bonds may stabilize the complex and strengthen the binding to permit LMP1 to compete with CD40 for binding to the TRAF3 crevice, influencing downstream signaling to B lymphocytes and contributing to dysregulated signaling by LMP1.

Alanine↗
PubMed2003

The role of CD30, CD40 and CD95 in the regulation of proliferation and apoptosis in classical Hodgkin's lymphoma.

AIMS: CD30, CD40 and CD95 are members of the tumour necrosis factor receptor superfamily. Ligation to their respective ligands (CD30L, CD40L, CD95L) will generate a diverse set of signalling cascades. We aim to study the expression pattern of CD30, CD40 and CD95 in classical Hodgkin's lymphoma (cHL) and to correlate the expressions with proliferation and apoptosis in the Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg (H/RS) cells of cHL with or without associated Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. METHODS: A total of 66 cHL cases were retrieved from the archives. Expressions of CD30, CD40, CD95 and proliferation by Ki-67 expression were detected with an immunohistochemical staining method. Apoptosis index was assessed by in situ TUNEL staining technique on 30 randomly selected cases and the presence of EBV was determined by EBER in situ hybridisation. RESULTS: Expression of CD30, CD40 and CD95 in the H/RS cells was observed in a high proportion of the cases (100, 93.9, 90.5%, respectively). There was no significant association or correlation of the expression of these molecules with the presence of EBV. Expression of CD40 was associated with expression of the proliferation marker Ki-67 (P=0.044), whereas strong (intermediate and high) expression of CD30 showed a significant correlation with proliferation in the EBV-negative cases only (P=0.025). No correlation was observed for the expression of CD30 and CD40 with apoptosis of the H/RS cells. The childhood cases showed weaker CD95 expression in the H/RS cells than the adult cases, and the expression of CD95 was weaker than that of CD40 in the childhood group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that CD30, CD40 and CD95 are highly expressed in the H/RS cells of the majority of cases of cHL. The expression patterns seem to be independent of EBV and do not correlate with apoptosis of the H/RS cells.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Activation of human dendritic cells through CD40 cross-linking.

Dendritic cells, the professional antigen-presenting cells (APC) involved in T cell priming, express CD40, a molecule which triggering plays a key role in B cell growth and differentiation as well as monocyte activation. Herein we demonstrate that dendritic Langerhans cells (D-Lc) generated by culturing cord blood CD34+ progenitor cells with granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) express functional CD40 at a density higher than that found on B cells. Culturing D-Lc on CD40-ligand (CD40L) transfected L cells allowed D-Lc survival as 50 +/- 15% of seeded cells were recovered after 4 d while only 5% survived over control L cells. CD40 activation induced important morphological changes with a reduction of cytoplasmic content and a remarkable increase of dendrite development as well as an altered phenotype. In particular, CD40 triggering induced maintenance of high levels of major histocompatibility complex class II antigens and upregulation of accessory molecules such as CD58, CD80 (B7-1) and CD86 (B7-2). CD40 engagement also seems to turn on D-Lc maturation as illustrated by upregulation of CD25, a molecule usually expressed on interdigitating dendritic cells of secondary lymphoid organs. Finally, CD40 activated D-Lc secreted a limited set of cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-8, and macrophage inflammatory protein 1 alpha [MIP-1 alpha]) whereas a similar activation induced elutriated monocytes to secrete IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-alpha, and MIP-1 alpha. As D-Lc activated T cells upregulated CD40L, it is likely that CD40 activation of D-Lc observed herein with a fibroblast cell line stably expressing CD40L, mimics physiological interactions between dendritic cells and T cells.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

A novel function of CD40: induction of cell death in transformed cells.

CD40 is known as an important T-B cell interaction molecule which rescues B lymphocytes from undergoing apoptosis. Like other receptors of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor gene family, CD40 is expressed on cells of different tissue origins including some transformed cells. In contrast to its well-studied effects on B cells, the biological functions of CD40 in non-immune cells remain largely unknown. Here we show that CD40 ligation induces apoptotic cell death in transformed cells of mesenchymal and epithelial origin. This CD40-mediated cell death seems to use a preformed signaling pathway since it occurs even when protein synthesis is blocked. Notably, the CD40 cytoplasmic domain shares a structural homology with the recently defined "death domains" of the 55-kD TNF receptor (p55TNFR) and Fas. Despite these structural similarities, differences are seen in the way phorbol myristate acetate, interleukin 1, TNF, and various metabolic inhibitors influence the cellular responsiveness to CD40, p55TNFR, and Fas-mediated killing. Our study indicates that CD40 induces cell death by a distinct mechanism.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Activation and homologous desensitization of human endothelial cells by CD40 ligand, tumor necrosis factor, and interleukin 1.

We have reported previously that activation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) through CD40, using a recombinant soluble form of trimerized CD40 ligand, leads to induction of E-selectin, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). Here, we compare the effects of CD40 ligand with those of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin 1 (IL-1). All three ligands induce transient increases in E-selectin (peak 4 h) and VCAM-1 (peak 8-24 h), as well as sustained increases in ICAM-1 (plateau 24 h). Quantitatively, TNF is more potent than IL-1, which is much more potent than CD40 ligand. The same hierarchy is observed for transcriptional activation of an E-selectin promoter reporter gene construct in transiently transfected HUVECs. TNF and CD40 ligand each induced activation of the transcription factors NF-kappa B, IRF-1, and ATF-2/c-Jun, measured by electrophoretic mobility shift assays, but this response appeared quantitatively similar. All three agents transiently (peak 30 min) activated Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), which has been implicated in transcription of E-selectin through its actions on ATF-2/c-Jun. Activation of JNK again showed a hierarchy of potency (TNF > IL-1 >> CD40 ligand), although the time course of induction was similar for all three agents. After 44 h of pretreatment, TNF, IL-1, and CD40 ligand each display homologous desensitization for reinduction of surface expression of E-selectin. A similar pattern of homologous desensitization for reactivation of JNK was observed. We conclude that TNF, IL-1, and CD40 ligand all activate similar responses in ECs, and that homologous desensitization of JNK may explain the inability of individual cytokines to reinduce E-selectin expression.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2002

A C/T single-nucleotide polymorphism in the region of the CD40 gene is associated with Graves' disease.

Graves' disease (GD) develops as a result of an interaction between susceptibility genes and environmental factors. We have previously mapped a susceptibility locus for GD on chromosome 20q11 (GD-2), which has recently been independently replicated. Among the genes mapped to 20q11 was the CD40 gene, an important costimulatory molecule and a good positional candidate gene for GD. We investigated whether the CD40 gene was the GD susceptibility gene on 20q11. Linkage analysis in a subset of Caucasian families showed a maximum multipoint logarithm of odds (LOD) score of 3.3 at the CD40 locus. We then sequenced all 9 exons of the CD40 gene in 8 probands and 10 controls and identified a new C/T single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the Kozak sequence of the CD40 gene at position -1. Case control association analysis of the CD40 C/T(-1) SNP in 154 Caucasian patients with GD and 118 Caucasian controls showed an association between the CC genotype and GD (p = 0.048, relative risk [RR] = 1.6). Furthermore, the association was stronger when only the probands from the linked families (n = 20) were used (p = 0.009, RR = 4.8). Transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) analysis also showed preferential transmission of the C allele of the CD40 C/T(-1) SNP to affected individuals (p = 0.02). In conclusion, our results suggested that the CD40 gene was a new susceptibility gene for GD within certain families because it was both linked and associated with GD.

CD40 Antigens↗
PubMed2006

Association of a C/T single-nucleotide polymorphism in the 5' untranslated region of the CD40 gene with Graves' disease in Japanese.

CONTEXT: Graves' disease (GD) is caused by an interplay of genetic factors and environmental triggers. Recently, a susceptibility locus for GD was mapped to chromosome 20q11 (GD-2). Furthermore, a novel single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the CD40 gene, which is located in 20q11, was found to be associated and linked with GD in Caucasians and in Koreans. OBJECTIVES: To examine a C/T SNP in the 5' untranslated region of the CD40 gene (CD40-E1SNP) for association with autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs) in a Japanese dataset. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: Case-control association studies were performed using the CD40-E1SNP. We studied 485 Japanese patients with AITD (301 with GD, 184 with Hashimoto's thyroiditis [HT]) and 177 matched Japanese control subjects in association studies. MAIN OUTCOME: Frequencies of genotypes and alleles of the CD40- E1SNP. RESULTS: The distribution of genotype frequencies differed significantly between patients with GD and controls in a dominant manner (p = 0.039). The CC+CT genotypes of the CD40-E1SNP were associated with the increased risk for GD (p = 0.015, odds ratio [OR] = 1.9). In contrast, no differences in genotype frequencies were observed between HT patients and controls for the CD40-E1SNP. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that the CD40 gene is involved in susceptibility for GD in the Japanese.

5' Untranslated Regions↗
PubMed2000

CD40 signaling in human dendritic cells is initiated within membrane rafts.

Despite CD40's role in stimulating dendritic cells (DCs) for efficient specific T-cell stimulation, its signal transduction components in DCs are still poorly documented. We show that CD40 receptors on human monocyte-derived DCs associate with sphingolipid- and cholesterol-rich plasma membrane microdomains, termed membrane rafts. Following engagement, CD40 utilizes membrane raft-associated Lyn Src family kinase, and possibly other raft-associated Src family kinases, to initiate tyrosine phosphorylation of intracellular substrates. CD40 engagement also leads to a membrane raft-restricted recruitment of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factor (TRAF) 3 and, to a lesser extent, TRAF2, to CD40's cytoplasmic tail. Thus, the membrane raft structure plays an integral role in proximal events of CD40 signaling in DCs. We demonstrate that stimulation of Src family kinase within membrane rafts initiates a pathway implicating ERK activation, which leads to interleukin (IL)-1alpha/beta and IL-1Ra mRNA production and contributes to p38-dependent IL-12 mRNA production. These results provide the first evidence that membrane rafts play a critical role in initiation of CD40 signaling in DCs, and delineate the outcome of CD40-mediated pathways on cytokine production.

CD40 Antigens↗
PubMed1997

Mouse germinal center B cells with the xid mutation retain responsiveness to antimouse CD40 antibodies but diminish IL-5 responsiveness.

The germinal center (GC) develops in secondary lymphoid tissues in response to thymus-dependent (TD) antigens. To investigate the molecular mechanism of B cell differentiation in GC, we enriched GC B cells from spleen of TD antigen-immunized wild-type and X-linked immunodeficient (XID) mice, and examined the differentiation of GC B cells into antigen-specific IgG1 antibody-forming cells (AFC) in response to anti-CD40 mAb and cytokines. A significant proportion of freshly purified GC B cells expressed receptors for IL-4 and IL-5. Anti-CD40 mAb sustained the viability of GC B cells and IL-4 co-operated with anti-CD40 mAb for further enhancement of the cell viability. Anti-CD40 mAb and IL-4 were essential for inducing differentiation of GC B cells into antigen-specific IgG1-AFC and IL-5 efficiently enhanced their differentiation. GC B cells with the xid mutation responded for proliferation to CD40 ligation to a lesser extent and for the IgG1-AFC response to anti-CD40 mAb together with IL-4, but they showed impaired responsiveness to IL-5, regardless of enhanced expression of IL-5R in response to anti-CD40 mAb and IL-4. These results suggest that anti-CD40 mAb, IL-4 and IL-5 play a critical role in the differentiation of mouse GC B cells. The GC B cells from XID mice show a functional defect with respect to IL-5-mediated differentiation.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Prevention of kidney allograft rejection using anti-CD40 and anti-CD86 in primates.

BACKGROUND: Costimulation blockade has been proposed to induce allograft tolerance. We combined an antagonist anti-CD40 monoclonal antibody (mAb) with an antagonist anti-CD86 mAb in a rhesus monkey kidney allograft model. We chose this combination because it leaves CD80-CD152 signaling unimpaired, allowing for the down-regulatory effect of CD152 signaling to take place through this pathway. METHODS: Rhesus monkeys underwent transplantation with a major histocompatibility complex-mismatched kidney. One group of animals received anti-CD40 alone, and a second group received the combination of anti-CD40 and anti-CD86, twice weekly for 56 days. RESULTS: Three animals with low levels of anti-CD40 rejected the transplanted kidney while still receiving treatment. Three animals with high levels of anti-CD40 rejected at days 91, 134, and 217 with signs of chronic rejection. Animals treated with the combination of anti-CD40 and anti-CD86 mAbs rejected their kidneys at days 61, 75, and 78, shortly after cessation of treatment. Two animals were killed on days 71 and 116 with a blocked ureter. These animals developed virtually no signs of tubulitis or infiltration during treatment and no donor-specific alloantibodies. CONCLUSIONS: Both treatment protocols prevented rejection for the duration of the treatment in most animals. Blocking costimulation by anti-CD40 or by anti-CD40 plus anti-CD86 may be an effective method to prevent graft rejection and may obviate the need for other immunosuppressive drugs, especially in the immediate posttransplantation period.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

CD40 stimulation of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia cells enhances the anti-apoptotic profile, but also Bid expression and cells remain susceptible to autologous cytotoxic T-lymphocyte attack.

To enhance the poor antigen-presenting capacity of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B-CLL), CD40 triggering has been considered as an active immunotherapy. However, CD40 stimulation also has an anti-apoptotic effect and may further impair the dysregulated response of B-CLL to apoptotic stimuli. Therefore, we measured the expression of virtually all regulators of apoptosis before and after CD40 stimulation. These findings were correlated with sensitivity for chemotherapy- and death-receptor-induced apoptosis and T-cell-mediated killing. CD40 stimulation enhanced the constitutive anti-apoptotic profile of B-CLL cells by upregulation of Bcl-xL and Bfl-1 and downregulation of the BH3-only protein Harakiri. Unexpectedly, the BH3-only protein Bid was strongly induced. Functionally, CD40-stimulated B-CLL cells became resistant to drug-induced apoptosis and, despite upregulation of CD95 and Bid, were not sensitive to CD95L. In contrast, autologous T cell killing, triggered by loading CLL cells with viral (CMV) peptides, was very efficient both before and after CD40 stimulation. Upon CTL interaction, CLL targets underwent mitochondrial depolarization and caspase-3 activation. Thus, despite an increased anti-apoptotic profile, CD40 triggered B-CLL cells remain excellent targets for resident cytotoxic T cells. These data support therapeutic exploitation of CD40 stimulation in B-CLL, provided that a strong CTL component is induced.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed2005

A novel blocking monoclonal antibody recognizing a distinct epitope of human CD40 molecule.

CD40, a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, is an important costimulatory molecule during the immune response. Here, we report a blocking mouse antihuman CD40 monoclonal antibody, mAb 3G3, of which the specificity was verified by flow cytometry and Western blot. It was shown by competition test that 3G3 bound to a different site (epitope) of CD40 from the reported CD40 mAbs, including clone mAb89, 3B2, and 5C11. It was also found that mAb 3G3 could inhibit homotypic aggregation of Daudi cells induced by the agonistic anti-CD40 mAb 5C11. Furthermore, mAb 3G3 effectively inhibited the proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in mixed lymphocyte reaction assay. Finally, a sensitive and specific soluble CD40 (sCD40) ELISA kit was established by matching mAb 3G3 with 5C11, and it was found that the levels of sCD40 in sera from patients with immune disorders such as hyperthyroidism, chronic nephritis, and rheumatoid arthritis were obviously higher than those from normal individuals. Thus, this blocking anti-CD40 mAb provides a novel tool for the study of CD40.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed2005

Increased CD40 ligand in patients with acute anterior uveitis.

PURPOSE: The inflammatory response in acute anterior uveitis (AU) is believed to be primarily mediated by autoreactive T-cells. We wanted to evaluate whether the T-cell activation marker CD40 ligand is involved in the AU immunopathogenesis. METHODS: We evaluated the expression of the CD40 ligand on CD4+ T-cells, CD8+ T-cells and CD19+ B-cells on peripheral blood mononuclear cells using flow cytometry in six patients with unilateral AU, six patients with monosymptomatic optic neuritis (ON) as inflammatory controls, and in six healthy controls. The ex vivo induction of the CD40 ligand on T-cells in patients and controls was also studied. RESULTS: A significantly higher expression of the CD40 ligand on both CD4+ (p < 0.05) and CD8+ (p < 0.05) T-cells in patients with AU compared to ON patients and healthy controls was found. There was a significantly higher induction of the CD40 ligand on CD8+ T-cells in AU patients compared to ON patients and healthy controls (p < 0.01). No differences in the B-cell population were observed between the three groups. CONCLUSION: Patients with AU had increased expression of the CD40 ligand on T-cells in the blood and expressed higher levels of the CD40 ligand when stimulated, compared to ophthalmological inflammatory controls and healthy controls. The data suggest that the CD40 ligand is involved in the development of AU.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2005

CD40 signaling in macrophages induces activity against an intracellular pathogen independently of gamma interferon and reactive nitrogen intermediates.

Gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) is the major inducer of classical activation of macrophages. Classically activated mouse macrophages acquire antimicrobial activity that is largely dependent on the production of reactive nitrogen intermediates. However, protection against important intracellular pathogens can take place in the absence of IFN-gamma and nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2). Using Toxoplasma gondii as a model, we investigated if CD40 signaling generates mouse macrophages with effector function against an intracellular pathogen despite the absence of priming with IFN-gamma and lack of production of reactive nitrogen intermediates. CD40-stimulated macrophages acquired anti-T. gondii activity that was not inhibited by a neutralizing anti-IFN-gamma monoclonal antibody but was ablated by the neutralization of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). Moreover, while the induction of anti-T. gondii activity in response to CD40 stimulation was unimpaired in macrophages from IFN-gamma(-/-) mice, macrophages from TNF receptor 1/2(-/-) mice failed to respond to CD40 engagement. In contrast to IFN-gamma-lipopolysaccharide, CD40 stimulation did not induce NOS2 expression and did not trigger production of reactive nitrogen intermediates. Neither N(G)-monomethyl-l-arginine nor diphenyleneiodonium chloride affected the induction of anti-T. gondii activity in response to CD40. Finally, macrophages from NOS2(-/-) mice acquired anti-T. gondii activity in response to CD40 stimulation that was similar to that of macrophages from wild-type mice. These results demonstrate that CD40 induces the antimicrobial activity of macrophages against an intracellular pathogen despite the lack of two central features of classically activated macrophages: priming with IFN-gamma and production of reactive nitrogen intermediates.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Prognostic value of CD40 in adult soft tissue sarcomas.

PURPOSE: The purpose is to evaluate the expression of CD40, a membrane protein predominantly expressed on B cells, dendritic cells, and macrophages, in a series of adult soft tissue sarcomas and to test its possible prognostic value. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: CD40 expression was studied by immunohistochemistry. Correlations with other baseline characteristics of patients and tumors were analyzed with chi(2) test. The prognostic value was studied with univariable and multivariable analysis adjusted by age, sex, tumor size, grade, location, and distant metastases. RESULTS: Eighty-two patients, between January 1994 and May 2001, were analyzed. Membrane or cytoplasmic staining for CD40 protein was absent in 30% of the tumors but present in <10% of cells in 22 (27%), in 10% to 50% in 23 (28%), and in >50% of cells in 12 (15%) tumors. There was no correlation between CD40 expression and age, sex, size, grade, and location of the primary tumor and distant metastases. With 61 patients (74.4%) progressed and 31 (37.8%) dead, CD40 expression was a significant prognostic factor for disease-free and overall survival at univariable and multivariable analysis. Patients with tumors expressing CD40 in >50% of cells had a dramatically unfavorable prognosis with median disease-free and overall survival of 7 and 17 months, respectively, and hazard ratios of relapse and death as compared with patients with CD40-negative tumors of 2.89 (95% confidence interval: 1.26-6.60) and 6.92 (95% confidence interval: 2.18-22.0), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that expression of CD40 protein in >50% of cells might indicate an unfavorable prognosis in adult soft tissue sarcomas.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2006

Effect of 15d-PGJ2 on the expression of CD40 and RANTES induced by IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha on renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2).

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Recent evidence shows that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) ameliorates a variety of inflammatory conditions. CD40 is a co-stimulatory molecule and its ligation induces production of different proinflammatory cytokines including RANTES (regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed), which are considered as important factors in the initiation and maintenance of inflammatory response. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of PPAR-gamma on CD40 and RANTES production on cultured human renal proximal tubular epithelial (HK-2) cells. METHODS: HK-2 cells were maintained under defined in vitro conditions and treated with either PPAR-gamma agonist 15-deoxy-12,14-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2) or 15d-PGJ2 + PPAR-gamma antagonist GW9662, and then stimulated with a combination of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). The CD40 and RANTES levels were investigated. RESULTS: HK-2 cells expressed low levels of CD40 and RANTES. Activation of HK-2 cells by combined treatment of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma results in strong synergistic effects on the expression of CD40 and the secretion of RANTES. 15d-PGJ2 significantly decreased CD40 and RANTES expression and GW9662 partly abrogated the inhibition of 15d-PGJ2 on CD40 and RANTES. CONCLUSION: 15d-PGJ2 significantly decreased CD40 and RANTES expression in HK-2 cells, which were partially mediated by PPAR-gamma-dependent pathways. These results point to PPAR-gamma as a remarkable new target in the prevention of tubular inflammatory injury associated with renal disease.

CD40 Antigens↗
PubMed1995

Epstein-Barr virus-induced human B-cell lymphoma arising in HuPBL-SCID chimeric mice: characterization and the role of CD40 stimulation in their treatment and prevention.

The transfer of human peripheral blood lymphocytes (huPBL) from EBV-seropositive donors into mice with severe combined immune deficiency (SCID) has been shown previously to result in the generation of human EBV-induced B-cell lymphomas. These lymphomas are similar to the aggressive lymphomas that arise clinically in immunocompromised individuals. We have assessed the p53 status of these human B-lymphomas and the clonality of cell lines established from tumors growing in the huPBL-SCID mice. While the lymphoma cell lines were demonstrated to be pauciclonal by Southern analysis, none of the lines demonstrated mutated p53 as determined by immunoprecipitation studies using antibodies specific for mutant p53. The cell lines were all positive for CD40, a marker present on normal and neoplastic B cells. Antibodies to CD40 significantly inhibited the growth of these EBV-transformed B-cell lymphomas both in vitro and in vivo. When partially purified human B cells were incubated with either anti-CD40 or anti-IgM in the presence of EBV-containing supernatants in vitro, only anti-CD40 prevented transformation by EBV. Treatment of huPBL-SCID mice with anti-CD40 also prevented the occurrence of the EBV lymphomas. However, long-term human B-cell engraftment was not inhibited as determined by the presence of serum human immunoglobulin in the chimeric mice. Overnight incubation of the huPBL with anti-CD40 did not prevent the incidence of lymphomas in huPBL-SCID chimeras suggesting that continuous exposure to anti-CD40 is required. These studies suggest that anti-CD40 may be of significant clinical use in the treatment or prevention of EBV-induced B-cell lymphomas.

Animals↗