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The CD40‐ligand stimulates T‐lymphocytes via the neutral sphingomyelinase : A novel function of the CD40‐ligand as signalling molecule
Author(s) -
Ursula Koppenhoefer,
Birgit Brenner,
Florian Läng,
Erich Gulbins
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/s0014-5793(97)01035-1
Subject(s) - sphingomyelin , ceramide , ligand (biochemistry) , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , cd40 , function (biology) , receptor , biochemistry , biology , membrane , apoptosis , cytotoxic t cell , in vitro
Recent results suggest an activation of T‐lymphocytes via the CD40L implying a dual function of this ligand involved in the activation of both B‐ and T‐lymphocytes [1–4]. Here, we provide evidence that activation of T‐lymphocytes via CD40L results in activation of a neutral but not an acidic sphingomyelinase correlating with a consumption of sphingomyelin and a release of ceramide. Activation of the neutral sphingomyelinase by the CD40L seems to involve a novel signalling cascade since it is independent of CD40L induced protein kinase activation or association of the neutral sphingomyelinase with the CD40L.