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Coexpression of CD40 and CD40 ligand in B‐cell lymphoma cells
Author(s) -
Clodi Katharina,
Asgary Zahra,
Zhao Shourong,
Kliche KayOliver,
Cabanillas Fernando,
Andreeff Michael,
Younes Anas
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2141.1998.01031.x
Subject(s) - cd40 , b cell , germinal center , autocrine signalling , cytokine , biology , cancer research , cell growth , lymphoma , cell , immunology , in vitro , microbiology and biotechnology , receptor , antibody , biochemistry , cytotoxic t cell
CD40 ligand (CD40L) is involved in the T‐cell‐dependent regulation of B‐cell growth and survival and can rescue normal germinal centre B cells and several types of malignant B cells from apoptosis in vitro . We have previously reported that serum of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia contained elevated levels of biologically active soluble CD40L (sCD40L). Whether an augmented CD40L pathway exists in patients with other types of B‐cell lymphoid malignancies and the source of native sCD40L in these patients is currently unknown. Using a sensitive ELISA assay, soluble CD40L (sCD40L) was detected in the sera of both healthy individuals and patients with haematological malignancies; however, its level was significantly elevated only in patients with B‐cell lymphomas ( P < 0.0001). Several types of malignant B cells coexpressed CD40 and CD40L proteins, and CD40L mRNA was detected in purified resting malignant B cells. The dual expression of CD40 and CD40L in B cells and the presence of native sCD40L in human serum suggest that a direct T–B‐cell contact may not be required for CD40L delivery to B cells. This data raises the possibility that an autocrine cytokine loop involving CD40L may contribute to the growth regulation of benign and malignant B cells in vivo .