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Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Generation of Human CD40-activated B cells
Published on: October 16, 2009
Epithelial cells as immune effector cells: the role of CD40
Kari Dugger1, Thomas W Lowder, Torry A Tucker
1Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL 35294-0005, USA.
Abstract:
Through the expression of inflammatory mediators and immune-related molecules, epithelial cells function as immune effector cells in a wide variety of tissues; the expression of the CD40 receptor on these cells contributes this role. Engagement of CD40 activates epithelial cells and results in their release of pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators as well as pro-fibrotic molecules. As such, epithelial CD40 has been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory disorders, generation of self-tolerance, and rejection of allografts.
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