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The role of CD44 during CD40 ligand‐induced dendritic cell clustering and maturation
Author(s) -
Termeer Christian,
Johannsen Henning,
Braun Thorsten,
Renkl Andreas,
Ahrens Thomas,
Denfeld Ralph W.,
Lappin Mike B.,
Weiss Johannes M.,
Simon Jan C.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of leukocyte biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.819
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1938-3673
pISSN - 0741-5400
DOI - 10.1189/jlb.70.5.715
Subject(s) - cd154 , biology , cd40 , transfection , cd44 , dendritic cell , microbiology and biotechnology , ligand (biochemistry) , western blot , cell , receptor , cell culture , immune system , biochemistry , in vitro , immunology , cytotoxic t cell , genetics , gene
The interaction between CD40 on dendritic cells (DC) and its ligand CD154 has been recognized to be an important feature in the maturation of DC. Here, we were interested in the role of CD44 a surface receptor shown to mediate cell‐cell adhesion and binding to Hyaluronic acid (HA). Western blot analysis of human DC stimulated for 3–12 h with CD154 revealed the rapid induction of the 85 kDa standard form of CD44 and an increased HA‐binding affinity. Time‐lapse video‐imaging microscopy of human DC co‐cultured on CD154‐transfected murine fibroblasts showed that the CD44 up‐regulation coincided with the rapid induction of homotypic DC clustering, which did not occur on empty vector‐transfected fibroblasts. In this system, addition of anti‐CD44s mAbs abrogated DC‐cluster formation, thereby inhibiting further maturation, as shown by a reduced TNF‐α production and inhibition of CD154‐induced MHC class II up‐regulation. However, co‐incubation with HA‐degrading enzymes induced no changes in the CD154‐mediated DC clustering and maturation.