Cutting edge: CD40 ligand is a limiting factor in the humoral response to T cell-dependent antigens

Citation
M. Perez-melgosa et al., Cutting edge: CD40 ligand is a limiting factor in the humoral response to T cell-dependent antigens, J IMMUNOL, 163(3), 1999, pp. 1123-1127
Citations number
31
Categorie Soggetti
Immunology
Journal title
JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
ISSN journal
00221767 → ACNP
Volume
163
Issue
3
Year of publication
1999
Pages
1123 - 1127
Database
ISI
SICI code
0022-1767(19990801)163:3<1123:CECLIA>2.0.ZU;2-6
Abstract
CD40 ligand (CD40L) plays a crucial role in T cell-dependent B cell respons es, but whether its abundance is a limiting factor in their development is unclear. This question was addressed in transgenic mice expressing the muri ne CD40L gene under the control of the IL-a-promoter (CD40Ltg(+)). The frac tion of activated T cells from the CD40Ltg(+) mice with detectable levels o f surface CD IOL was modestly greater (1.1- to 2-fold) than littermate cont rols and paralleled an similar to 1.8-fold increase in CD40L mRNA abundance . In response to trinitrophenol (TNP)-keyhole limpet hemocyanin and tetanus /diphtheria vaccine, CD40Ltg(+) mice developed higher titers of high-affini ty IBG and IgG1 Ab than wild-type mice. In contrast, the Ab response of CD4 0Ltg(+) and control mice was similar in response to the T-independent Ag TN P-Ficoll, These results suggest that a modest increment in expression of CD 40L accelerates the development of T-dependent responses, and that CD40L pl ays a limiting role in the induction of high-affinity Ab and Ab-class switc hing.