CD40 ligand (CD40L) on activated T cells binding to CD40 on B cells is
of critical importance for Ig heavy-chain switching and rescue of B c
ells from apoptosis after somatic mutation in the germinal centre. Mut
ations in the CD40L gene are now known to cause X-linked hyper-IgM syn
drome (HIGM1), an immunodeficiency characterized by the absence of ser
um IgG, IgA and IgE. In this review, we discuss bow basic and clinical
immunology have combined to provide major insights into the function
of CD40 in T-B cell collaboration.