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Updated: Aug 18, 2026

Murine Model of CD40-activation of B cells
Published on: March 5, 2010
Death receptor-mediated apoptosis in human malignant glioma cells: modulation by the CD40/CD40L system
Jörg Wischhusen1, Dagmar Schneider, Michel Mittelbronn
1Department of General Neurology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Medical School, Hoppe-Seyler-Strasse 3, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
Abstract:
CD40, a TNF-R-related cell surface receptor, is shown here to be expressed by glioma cells in vitro and in vivo. Glioma cell lines expressing low levels of CD40 at the cell surface resist cytotoxic effects of CD40L. CD40 gene transfer sensitizes glioma cells to CD40L. Inhibition of protein synthesis potentiates cell death which involves CD40 clustering and caspases 8 and 3 processing. CD40-transfected LN-18 cells acquire resistance to CD95L. In contrast, subtoxic concentrations of CD40L strongly sensitize these cells for TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis. Bispecific CD40xCD95 antibodies specifically kill glioma cells, disclosing the property of endogenous CD40 to facilitate death signalling.
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