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Generation of Human CD40-activated B cells
13:27

Generation of Human CD40-activated B cells

Published on: October 17, 2009

Cleavage of membrane-bound CD40 ligand is not required for inducing B cell proliferation and differentiation

F Pietravalle1, S Lecoanet-Henchoz, J P Aubry

  • 1Glaxo Institute for Molecular Biology, Immunology Department, Geneva, Switzerland.

European Journal of Immunology
|March 1, 1996
PubMed

Insights

Soluble and membrane-bound CD40 ligand (CD40L) both stimulate B cell proliferation and IgE synthesis, indicating CD40L cleavage is not essential for its function in humoral immunity.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • The CD40-CD40L interaction is vital for humoral immunity.
  • CD40L undergoes processing, releasing soluble forms into circulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the functions of soluble and membrane-bound CD40L on human B cells.
  • To determine if CD40L cleavage is necessary for its biological activity.

Main Methods:

  • Generated an uncleavable CD40L cDNA deletion mutant.
  • Compared activities of wild-type and mutant CD40L transfectants on human B cells.

Main Results:

  • Both soluble and uncleavable membrane-bound CD40L induced B cell proliferation and IgE synthesis.
  • These effects were observed in conjunction with interleukin-4.

Conclusions:

  • Membrane-bound and soluble CD40L display similar functional activities on B cells.
  • Cleavage of membrane-bound CD40L is not a prerequisite for its B cell-mediated functions.

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