P. Fiumara et A. Younes, CD40 ligand (CD154) and tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand (APO-2L) in haematological malignancies, BR J HAEM, 113(2), 2001, pp. 265-274
The immune system contains a few B and T lymphocytes that are specific for
a certain antigen. Because these cells are not capable of eliminating an in
vading pathogen, the immune system has developed a mechanism whereby upon e
ncountering an invading pathogen, the few antigen-specific lymphocytes rapi
dly proliferate to generate a large number of B and T lymphocytes that are
able to kill and eliminate the offending pathogen. During this antigen-driv
en lymphoproliferative process, the activated lymphocytes receive survival
signals to allow them to live long enough to complete their job. After elim
inating the offending pathogen, survival signals are downregulated and the
immune response is downsized to maintain a stable lymphocyte number. When t
his tightly controlled mechanism is impaired, lymphoproliferative disorders
may occur (Younes, 1999). Many members of the tumour necrosis factor (TNF)
family are involved in this process. This review will focus on two members
of this family: TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL, Apo-2L) and
CD40 ligand (CD40L, CD154), and particularly their status in haematological
malignancies.