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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Bone marrow transplantation for CD40 ligand deficiency: a single centre experience.

BACKGROUND: CD40 ligand (CD40L) deficiency is a rare X linked immunodeficiency disorder leading to recurrent bacterial infection, with cryptosporidial enteritis and subsequent hepatic cirrhosis. Bone marrow transplantation offers the only cure. OBJECTIVE: To analyse retrospectively the outcome of bone marrow transplantation for this condition in one centre. DESIGN: A retrospective case note analysis was performed, identifying all patients with CD40L deficiency who had undergone bone marrow transplantation between May 1988 and December 2000. Details of pre-existing infection, pretransplantation immunological and infective data, transplant procedure (particularly donor type and HLA match), conditioning regimen, and marrow manipulation were analysed. Post-transplantation data including infective episodes, engraftment details, immune function, complications, and outcome were recorded. RESULTS: Eight boys (age 1-14 years, median 5.75) had transplants. Six received T cell depleted unrelated donor marrow. Four survive and have normal immune function. Six had previous Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and three had histological liver damage. Survival was associated with younger age at transplantation and normal liver histology. CONCLUSIONS: Bone marrow transplantation can be curative in CD40L deficiency. Better outcome is associated with younger age at transplantation and normal liver histology.

Adolescent↗

Thymic lymphoproliferative disease after successful correction of CD40 ligand deficiency by gene transfer in mice.

Inherited deficiency of the CD40 ligand (X-linked hyper-IgM syndrome) is characterized by failure of immunoglobulin isotype switching and severe defects of cell-mediated immunity. To test the potential for gene transfer therapy to correct this disorder, we transduced murine bone marrow or thymic cells with a retroviral vector containing the cDNA for the murine CD40 ligand (CD40L) and injected them into CD40L-/- mice. Even low-level, constitutive expression of the transgene stimulated humoral and cellular immune functions in these mice. With extended follow-up, however, 12 of 19 treated mice developed T-lymphoproliferative disorders, ranging from polyclonal increases of lymphoblasts to overt monoclonal T-lymphoblastic lymphomas that involved multiple organs. Our findings show that constitutive (rather than tightly regulated), low-level expression of CD40L can produce abnormal proliferative responses in developing T lymphocytes, apparently through aberrant interaction between CD40L+ and TCRalphabeta+CD40+ thymocytes. Current methods of gene therapy may prove inappropriate for disorders involving highly regulated genes in essential positions in proliferative cascades.

Animals↗

Treatment of CD40 ligand deficiency by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a survey of the European experience, 1993-2002.

CD40 ligand (CD40L) deficiency causes recurrent sinopulmonary infection, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, and Cryptosporidium parvum infection. Approximately 40% to 50% of patients survive to the third decade: long-term survival is unclear. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is curative. We present a retrospective analysis of 38 European patients undergoing HSCT for CD40L deficiency in 8 European countries between 1993 and 2002. Donor stem cell source included 14 HLA-identical siblings, 22 unrelated donors, and 2 phenotypically matched parental stem cells (12 T-cell depleted). Of the patients, 34 engrafted and 26 (68%) survived; 3 had autologous reconstitution, 22 (58%) were cured, and 1 engrafted but has poor T-cell immune reconstitution. There were 18 evaluated patients who responded to vaccination. Of the patients, 12 (32%) died from infection-related complications, with severe cryptosporidiosis in 6. Grades 2 to 4 graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) associated with infection occurred in 6 of 12 fatal cases. HSCT cured 58% of patients, 72% of those without hepatic disease. Early T-cell function following whole marrow HSCT may limit cryptosporidial disease, but survival was similar after T-cell-depleted HSCT. Preexisting lung damage was the most important adverse risk factor. Further studies will determine optimal timing and type of HSCT.

Adolescent↗

Mutation analysis in CD40 ligand deficiency leading to X-linked hypogammaglobulinemia with hyper IgM syndrome.

Mutations in the gene encoding CD40 ligand have been shown to be the cause of X-linked hypogammaglobulinemia with hyper IgM (HIGM1). We have used the technique of single strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis to screen for mutations in this gene in affected boys from nineteen unrelated families. Sixteen novel mutations were identified in patients, comprising six patients with single base substitutions, two patients with single base insertions, six patients with deletions ranging from one to seven bases and two patients with large deletions at the 5' end of the gene. These mutations were distributed throughout the gene SSCP band shifts and/or alterations in restriction enzyme digestion sites could be used for unambiguous determination of carrier status in at-risk female relatives of most of the affected boys and, in some cases, prenatal diagnosis also can be offered.

Agammaglobulinemia↗

[From gene to disease; CD40 ligand deficiency as the cause of X-linked hyper-IgM-syndrome].

X-linked hyper-IgM syndrome (XHIM) is a rare congenital immunodeficiency disorder, characterised by a defect in both humoral and cellular immune responses. In XHIM, the membrane glycoprotein CD40 ligand (expressed on activated T-cells) is deficient, which compromises T-cell interactions with antigen-presenting cells. Patients with XHIM present with severe, recurrent infections, predominantly of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract. The gene encoding the CD40 ligand is located on the long arm of the X chromosome.

CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes↗

Acquired CD40-ligand deficiency in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) acquire an immunodeficiency with many characteristics similar to those of persons with inherited defects in the gene encoding the CD40-ligand (CD154). We found that the blood and splenic CD4+ T cells of patients with CLL failed to express surface CD154 after CD3 ligation. However, using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based quantitative competitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR), we noted that CD3 ligation could induce such T cells to express CD154 messenger RNA at levels similar to that of CD3-activated T cells from normal donors. Moreover, addition of increasing numbers of CLL B cells to activated normal donor T cells rapidly resulted in progressively greater down-modulation of CD154. Such down-modulation of CD154 could be blocked by addition of CD40 monoclonal antibody to cultures in vitro. We propose that leukemia cell-mediated down-modulation of CD154 on activated T cells accounts for some of the acquired immune defects of patients with CLL.

Base Sequence↗

CD40 ligand deficiency presenting as unresponsive neutropenia.

A male child presented with recurrent respiratory infections, otitis media, and oral ulceration and was found to be neutropenic. Investigations showed hypogammaglobulinaemia with normal serum IgM and a novel deletion in the gene for CD40 ligand on his X chromosome. Intravenous gammaglobulin did not lead to resolution of his neutropenia; G-CSF was also necessary.

Agammaglobulinemia↗

Trans-splicing repair of CD40 ligand deficiency results in naturally regulated correction of a mouse model of hyper-IgM X-linked immunodeficiency.

X-linked immunodeficiency with hyper-IgM (HIGM1), characterized by failure of immunoglobulin isotype switching, is caused by mutations of the CD40 ligand (CD40L), which is normally expressed on activated CD4(+) T cells. As constitutive expression of CD40L induces lymphomas, we corrected the mutation while preserving the natural regulation of CD40L using pre-mRNA trans-splicing. Bone marrow from mice lacking CD40L was modified with a lentivirus trans-splicer encoding the normal CD40L exons 2-5 and was administered to syngenic CD40L-knockout mice. Recipient mice had corrected CD40L mRNA, antigen-specific IgG1 responses to keyhole limpet hemocyanin immunization, regulated CD4(+) T-cell CD40L expression after CD3 stimulation in primary and secondary transplanted mice, attenuation of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, and no evidence of lymphoproliferative disease over 1 year. Thus, HIGM1 can be corrected by CD40L trans-splicing, leading to functional correction of the genetic defect without the adverse consequences of unregulated expression of the CD40L gene.

Animals↗

Host CD40 ligand deficiency induces long-term allograft survival and donor-specific tolerance in mouse cardiac transplantation but does not prevent graft arteriosclerosis.

Although interruption of CD40-CD40L interactions via their respective mAbs yields prolonged allograft survival, the relative importance of CD40 or CD40L on donor or host cells remains unknown. Moreover, it is uncertain whether any allospecific tolerance occurring with CD40-CD40L blockade will also prevent allograft arteriopathy, the major long-term limitation to transplantation. Therefore, we performed cardiac transplantations using CD40L-deficient (CD40L-/-) mice to investigate the mechanisms underlying prolonged allograft survival. Without immunosuppression, wild-type (WT) hosts rejected allo-mismatched WT or CD40L-/- heart allografts within 2 wk. Conversely, allografts in CD40L-/- hosts beat vigorously for 12 wk. Anti-CD40 treatment did not induce graft failure in CD40L-/- recipients. Although graft-infiltrating cells were reduced approximately 50% in CD40L-/- hosts, the relative percentages of macrophages and T cell subsets were comparable to WT. IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, and IL-10 were diminished commensurate with the reduced cellular infiltrate; IL-4 was not detected. CD40L-/- recipients did not develop IgG alloantibodies and showed diminished B7 and CD28 expression on subsets of graft-infiltrating cells. CD40L-/- transplant recipients developed allospecific tolerance to the donor haplotype; second set donor skin grafts engrafted well, whereas third-party skin grafts were vigorously rejected. By MLR, splenocytes from CD40L-/- allograft recipients also demonstrated allo-specific hyporesponsiveness. Nevertheless, allografts in CD40L-/- hosts developed significant graft arteriosclerosis by 8-12 wk posttransplant. Therefore, we propose that early alloresponses, without CD40-CD40L costimulation, induce allospecific tolerance but may trigger allo-independent mechanisms that ultimately result in graft vasculopathy.

Animals↗

CD40 ligand-deficient T cells from X-linked hyper-IgM syndrome carriers have intrinsic priming capability.

Deficiency in CD40 ligand (CD40L) expression is associated with impaired T cell immunity in mouse models and in humans. Previous studies have indicated that this is due to the failure of induction of extrinsic costimulatory molecules. However, other studies have suggested that CD40L is an intrinsic costimulatory molecule. The X-linked hyper-IgM syndrome (XHIM) is a primary immunodeficiency caused by mutations in CD40L, resulting in impaired Ab production and T cell immunity. CD4+ T cells from female carriers of XHIM express a variable degree of normal CD40L based on random X chromosome inactivation. We have examined T cells from XHIM carriers to investigate whether CD40L supports T cell function by acting as an intrinsic costimulator or by induction of other costimulatory molecules by examining coexpression of CD40L and markers of T lymphocyte priming. These carriers provide a unique model for comparison of CD40L-expressing and -nonexpressing lymphocytes in that all factors, including immunological experience, are equivalent between the two populations. Our results show that compared with CD40L-deficient T cells, T cells that express CD40L normally have a minimal advantage in becoming primed, as defined by CD45 RO isoform expression and production of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha. Conversely, CD40L-deficient T lymphocytes clearly were capable of becoming primed as defined by the same parameters. These findings imply that the intrinsic costimulatory activity of CD40L is not required for attaining primed status, and that CD40L primarily supports T cell function by inducing extrinsic factors that can be shared by CD40L-deficient cells.

CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes↗

Anti-lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 monoclonal antibody inhibits CD40 ligand-independent immune responses and prevents chronic vasculopathy in CD40 ligand-deficient mice.

BACKGROUND: Blockade of CD40 ligand (CD40L; CD154, gp39) is a potential treatment for autoimmune disease and allograft rejection. However, CD40L-/- mice are capable of mobilizing cellular immune responses to viral, parasitic, and intracellular bacterial infections as well as rejecting skin grafts with nearly the same efficiency as wild-type mice. CD40L-deficient mice (CD40L-/-) or wild-type mice treated with anti-CD40L develop chronic vasculopathy only 8 weeks after allogeneic heart transplantation. To overcome CD40L-independent immune responses, we used anti-lymphocyte function-associated antigen monoclonal antibody (LFA)-1, which has previously been shown to inhibit CD8+ immune responses. METHODS: We conducted mixed lymphocyte reactions, cytotoxicity assays, skin transplantation, and vascularized heterotopic heart transplantation in wild-type B6 and CD40L-deficient mice in the presence and absence of anti-LFA-1 to study the effects of anti-LFA-1 in the absence of CD40L signaling. RESULTS: Anti-LFA-1 inhibited proliferation of naïve CD40L-/- mixed leukocyte reactions and the lysis of donor targets by CD40L-/- cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Anti-LFA-1-treated CD40L-/- mice that received fully MHC-mismatched skin grafts showed significant prolongation of graft survival, with a median survival time of 55 days (mean 66 days) compared with 13 and 21 days in wild-type and CD40L-/- controls, respectively. CD40L-/- mice that received fully MHC-mismatched vascularized heart transplants treated with four doses of 200 microg of anti-LFA-1 at the time of transplantation did not develop any signs of chronic vasculopathy 150 days after transplantation. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that anti-LFA-1 can complement CD40L inhibition in the prevention of undesirable immune responses.

Animals↗

Autoimmune lpr/lpr mice deficient in CD40 ligand: spontaneous Ig class switching with dichotomy of autoantibody responses.

Fas-deficient MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr mice develop a syndrome that resembles human systemic lupus erythematosus, including production of IgG autoantibodies against small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs), dsDNA, and self IgG (rheumatoid factor). To investigate the necessity for T-B cell contact in MRL autoimmunity, mice deficient in CD40 ligand (CD40L) were backcrossed onto this background, and Ab synthesis was assessed. In comparison to their CD40L-intact lpr/lpr counterparts, CD40L-deficient lpr/lpr mice had elevated levels of serum IgM and lower levels of IgG; however, a subset of animals had IgG2a, and to a lesser extent, IgG2b levels similar to those found in wild-type lpr/lpr mice. Levels of both isotypes in CD40L-deficient lpr/lpr mice were significantly greater than those found in nonautoimmune CD40L-deficient animals. IgG autoantibodies, including those directed against small nuclear ribonucleoproteins, also arose in CD40L-deficient lpr/lpr mice; however, they did not develop IgG rheumatoid factors or anti-dsDNA, and lacked histologic evidence of overt glomerulonephritis at age 3 mo, in contrast to CD40L-intact lpr/lpr animals. These results indicate that isotype switching occurs in lpr/lpr mice deficient in CD40L, and that production of IgG autoantibodies to ribonucleoproteins is at least partially preserved. They also suggest that different mechanisms may be responsible for eliciting autoantibody responses in lpr/lpr mice.

Animals↗

CD40 ligand-deficient mice generate a normal primary cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response but a defective humoral response to a viral infection.

CD40 ligand is expressed on activated T cells and interacts with CD40 on B cells and monocytes. It is not known what role CD40 ligand plays in the generation of immune responses to viral infection. To address this issue, we examined virus-specific T- and B-cell responses in CD40 ligand-deficient (CD40L-/-) mice following infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). We found that primary anti-LCMV specific antibody responses were severely impaired in CD40L-/- mice, with the defect being most striking for antibody of the immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) isotype. Interestingly, low levels of LCMV-specific antibodies of the IgG2a, IgG2b, and IgG3 isotypes were made in the CD40L-/- mice, showing that IgG1 responses are totally dependent on CD40L but that at least some IgG2a, IgG2b, and IgG3 responses can be CD40L independent. However, unlike CD40L+/+ mice, CD40L-/- mice were unable to sustain virus-specific antibody responses and showed a gradual decline in serum antibody levels over time. The CD40L-/- mice were also deficient in the generation of memory B cells. In contrast to the severely impaired humoral responses, CD40L-/- mice generated potent virus-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses after LCMV infection and were able to clear the virus. These results show that CD40L does not play a role in generating primary virus-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses but does affect the primary antibody response and the generation of memory B cells.

Acute Disease↗

Humoral immune responses in CD40 ligand-deficient mice.

Individuals with X-linked hyper-IgM syndrome fail to express functional CD40 ligand (CD40L) and, as a consequence, are incapable of mounting protective antibody responses to opportunistic bacterial infections. To address the role of CD40L in humoral immunity, we created, through homologous recombination, mice deficient in CD40L expression. These mice exhibited no gross developmental deficiencies or health abnormalities and contained normal percentages of B and T cell subpopulations. CD40L-deficient mice did display selective deficiencies in humoral immunity; basal serum isotype levels were significantly lower than observed in normal mice, and IgE was undetectable. Furthermore, the CD40L-deficient mice failed to mount secondary antigen-specific responses to immunization with a thymus-dependent antigen, trinitrophenol-conjugated keyhole limpet hemocyanin (TNP-KLH). By contrast, the CD40L-deficient mice produced antigen-specific antibody of all isotypes except IgE in response to the thymus-independent antigen, DNP-Ficoll. These results underscore the requirement of CD40L for T cell-dependent antibody responses. Moreover, Ig class switching to isotypes other than IgE can occur in vivo in the absence of CD40L, supporting the notion that alternative B cell signaling pathways regulate responses to thymus-independent antigens.

Animals↗

Impaired T cell-mediated macrophage activation in CD40 ligand-deficient mice.

The expression of the ligand for CD40 (CD40L) is critical for induction of T cell-dependent Ab responses. To examine how critical the expression of CD40L is for induction of cell-mediated immune responses, the ability of T cells from CD40L knockout mice to activate macrophage effector function was assessed. CD4+ T cells from CD40L-knockout mice were fourfold less effective than +/+ T cells in activating the nitric oxide response in allogeneic macrophages. CD40L-knockout T cells that were fixed with paraformaldehyde after a 6-h activation period, a time point at which CD40L dominates the macrophage-activating capability of the T cell, could activate neither macrophage production of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha) nor generation of reactive nitrogen intermediates. After 24 h of activation, however, both CD40L-knockout and +/+ T cells could induce similar but weak responses from the macrophages. This study demonstrates that animals deficient in CD40L expression display a deficiency in T cell-dependent macrophage-mediated immune responses.

Animals↗

CD40 ligand-independent B cell activation revealed by CD40 ligand-deficient T cell clones: evidence for distinct activation requirements for antibody formation and B cell proliferation.

We report the capacity of CD40 ligand (CD40L)-negative T cell clones to activate human B cells. CD40L-negative T cells induce a level of B cell proliferation 10-20% of that seen with normal T cells. The signal provided by the negative clones is synergistic with that derived from a CD40L transfectant, and restores B cell proliferation to normal levels, showing that CD40L-negative T cell clones are not inherently inhibitory for B cells. Although their capacity to induce proliferation was much reduced, CD40L-negative T cell clones were still strong inducers of B cell differentiation to plasma cells. This differentiation to plasma cells was inhibited by a CD40L transfectant. The data are discussed with regard to the normal in vivo mechanism for maintaining B cell memory and memory antibody responses to T-dependent antigens.

Antibody Formation↗

CD40 ligand expression deficiency in a female carrier of the X-linked hyper-IgM syndrome as a result of X chromosome lyonization.

We report on the case of a girl with an immune deficiency characterized by recurrent infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract, low IgG and IgA serum levels as well as deficiency of the in vivo antibody response. Since this patient is the sister of a boy affected with a hyper-IgM syndrome due to a defect in CD40 ligand (CD40L) expression, the involvement of CD40L in this phenotypic expression was investigated. A very low fraction of activated T cells (5%) in this female patient expressed CD40L. This resulted from the presence of a heterozygous CD40L nonsense mutation associated with a skewed pattern of X chromosome inactivation as determined by methylation pattern analysis. Although carriers of X-linked hyper-IgM are considered to be asymptomatic, this study indicates that extreme lyonization of the normal X can lead to a mild expression of the hyper-IgM syndrome which is similar to common variable immune deficiency (CVID). Therefore, it is possible that some cases of CVID in females represent partial deficiency of CD40L expression in carriers of the CD40L mutation.

CD40 Antigens↗