CD40 Ligand ; pharmacology ; HL-60 Cells ; drug effects ; Humans ; fas Receptor ; metabolism

Chemokine is a class of soluble active peptides that attract white blood cells to the inflammatory site. CD40 ligand (CD40L) involves in synthesis of proinflammatory mediators. Accumulation of chemokine and CD40L can induce non-hemolytic reaction after transfusion, transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) and autoimmune disease during blood component storage. Pre-storage leucocyte deletion can prevent the release of leucocyte-derived chemokines, but not prevent the accumulation of platelet-derived chemokines. γ-irradiation or ultraviolet β irradiation is effective in preventing the increase of chemokines in the storage of platelet, thus prevents non-hemolytic febrile reaction after platelet transfusion. In this review, the recent advance in research of accumulation of chemokines and CD40L during blood component storage, and its effect on blood transfusion, as well as preventive measures are summarized.
Blood Platelets ; metabolism ; Blood Preservation ; Blood Transfusion ; CD40 Ligand ; blood ; Chemokines ; blood ; Humans

As CD40 transduces activation signals involved in inflammatory and immune disorders, we explored the expression and response to CD40 engagement in human glioma cell lines in this study. The CD40 expression in BT-325 and U251 cells was flow cytometrically detected. The cells were incubated with srhCD40L for 72 h to assess its effects on cell growth in vitro. TNF-α expression was quantified by real-time PCR, and protein expression was analyzed by ELISA. The I-κb mRNA was detected by RT-PCR. I-κB expression decreased after stimulation with 1 μg/mL srhCD40L, but it was upregulated after the cells were pretreated with CD40 antibody. srhCD40L significantly inhibited the proliferation of the CD40+ human glioma cells. The stimulation of CD40+ glioma cells with soluble CD40L (CD154) up-regulated the expression of TNF-α at both mRNA and protein levels. We are led to conclude that CD40L/CD40 could inhibit human glioma cells through I-κb signaling pathway. Interferon-γ can augment CD40 expression and the inhibitory effect of CD40 ligand on cell growth in vitro. These results suggest that srhCD40L may benefit the therapy strategy of glioma.
CD40 Antigens ; metabolism ; CD40 Ligand ; metabolism ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Glioma ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; physiology ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

The interaction of CD40 with its cognate ligand, CD40L (CD154), plays important roles in immune responses. Blockade of CD40-CD40L signal pathway can protect the progression of antibody- and cell-mediated autoimmune diseases, and reduce allograft rejection thus prolonging graft survival, even engendering long-lived antigen-specific tolerance. The present study aims to enhance the binding activity of CD40 by incorporating an isoleucine zipper (IZ) trimeric motif into CD40 ectodomain to promote the formation of soluble CD40 trimers, which would be useful for blocking CD40-CD40L interaction. A prokaryotic expression vector for soluble human CD40 ectodomain fused with an IZ motif and a hexa-histidine (His6) tag at its carboxyl terminus (sCD40IZ) was constructed by multiple round PCR using cloned CD40 cDNA as a template. The recombinant sCD40IZ protein was expressed highly in Escherichia coli (E. coli) with a molecular weight of 27kD, which is consistent with its theoretical value. It mainly existed in inclusion bodies. After refolding from inclusion bodies, soluble sCD40IZ protein was purified by gel filtration. Its molecular weight in solution was about 91kD when determined by gel filtration, suggesting that it most probably existed in the form of trimers. Moreover, this protein could bind to CD40L expressed on Jurkat T cells and its binding activity was significantly higher than that of soluble CD40 without an IZ motif. These results suggest that incorporation of an IZ motif at the carboxyl terminus of soluble CD40 can facilitate the formation of trimers and enhance its binding activity with CD40L. Thus, the trimeric CD40 protein may be used to block CD40-CD40L signal pathway, suggesting that it may have potential application in preventing autoimmune diseases and transplantation rejection.
CD40 Antigens ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; metabolism ; CD40 Ligand ; metabolism ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Isoleucine ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Leucine Zippers ; genetics ; Protein Multimerization ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; metabolism

CD40/CD40L is a pair of complementary transmembrane glycoproteins, expressed on immune cells, endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, platelets and other cells involved in regulation of immunity, inflammation, coagulation and other pathophysiologic states. A large number of researches have demonstrated that, when atherosclerosis occurs, CD40L ligates CD40; subsequently CD40 is activated and stimulates downstream signaling pathways, including nuclear factor-kappaB, with consequent up-regulation of proinflammatory and proatherogenic genes. Thus it plays an important role in the occurrence, development and plaque-rupture of atherosclerosis. CD40/CD40L is a bridge between immunity, inflammation, and a hypercoagulable state, and may be an important target for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.
Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; genetics ; physiopathology ; CD40 Antigens ; genetics ; CD40 Ligand ; genetics ; Humans ; Immunity ; physiology ; Inflammation ; physiopathology ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Thrombophilia ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of CD40 ligand (CD40L) in dendritic cells (DC) of CEA transgenic mice and to evaluate the specific cellular immunity induced by activated DC.

METHODSBone marrow cells of the CEA transgenic mice were used to generate immature dendritic cells under the condition of GM-CSF and IL-4. CD40L was added to activate dendritic cells into mature phenotype. Dendritic cells cancer vaccine was pulsed with CEA526-533 peptide which made the vaccine specific for cancer immunity. The immunophenotype molecules were identified by flow cytometry. The cytokines produced by cells were determined by ELISA. T cells proliferation was measured by (3)H-thymidine essays.

RESULTSImmunophenotype molecules expressions of CD40L-activated dendritic cells were significantly higher than those in control group. IL-12 secretion by CD40L-activated dendritic cells was (937.81+/-51.99) pg/10(6) DC, significantly higher than that in control group [(83.06+/-8.58) pg/10(6) DC, P<0.01]. CD8(+) T cells proliferation induced by CD40 L-activated dendritic cells was stronger as compared to control group (P<0.05), and the secretion of IFN-gamma was(33.900+/-4.550) ng/L, significantly higher than that in control group [(5.226+/-0.460) ng/L, P<0.01]. Splenocytes proliferation induced by CD40 L-activated dendritic cells was stronger as compared to control group (P<0.01), and the secretion of IFN-gamma was (69.802+/-11.407) ng/L, significantly higher than that in control group [(2.912+/-0.562) ng/L, P<0.01].

CONCLUSIONThe method of using CD40L to stimulate bone marrow-delivered dendritic cells promotes the maturation and activation of dendritic cells, which enhances the cellular immunity in CEA transgenic mice.

Animals ; CD40 Ligand ; immunology ; physiology ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; metabolism ; Immunity, Cellular ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Transgenic

OBJECTIVETo investigate clinical implications of expression of CD40L in monocytes and changes in serum soluble CD40L in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS).

METHODSSixteen control and 56 patients, including 24 with stable angina (SA), 20 with unstable angina (UA) and 12 with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) enrolled in this study. Expression of CD40L in monocytes was analyzed by flow cytometry and sCD40L levels were measured by ELISA.

RESULTSExpression of CD40L in monocytes and serum levels of sCD40L in UA and AMI patients were higher than in SA patients and controls. In patients with AMI, sCD40L levels showed no significant increase when compared to patients with UA, while AMI patients had a peak level of sCD40L at 24 hours after AMI. PTCA induced a marked rise in sCD40L levels in all patients, while CD40L expression in monocytes showed no difference between patients with PTCA, before and after.

CONCLUSIONEnhanced level of serum sCD40L may be a reliable prognostic indicator for ACS and may represent a marker of coronary disease activity.

Angina Pectoris ; blood ; pathology ; CD40 Ligand ; blood ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Monocytes ; metabolism ; Myocardial Infarction ; blood ; pathology

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of costimulatory molecules CD28/B7 and CD40/CD40L in T and B lymphocytes as well as its relations with total IgE (TIgE), eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in serum and nasal allergic symptoms in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR). The effect of specific immunotherapy (SIT) on them were also investigated. METHOD: Thirty allergic allergic rhinitis patients were chosen as observation group, and 30 healthy patients as control group. Cytofluorometric analysis was used to compare the expression level of CD28/B7-1, B7-2 and CD40/CD40L on T cells and B cells in the two groups. The relationship between the CD28/ B7-1, B7-2 and CD40/CD40L expression level and serum Total IgE, ECP level were analyzed. RESULT: The expression level of CD28/B7-2 and CD40/CD40L on T cells and B cells in allergic rhinitis patients were significantly higher than in the healthy, and serum level of TIgE has a positive relationship with the expression level of CD40L on T cells. ECP has a positive relationship with the expression level of B7-2 on B cells. The expression level of B7-1 showed no significant difference between the two groups. After specific immunotherapy for 6 months, the expression level of CD28/B7-2 and CD40/CD40L on T cells and B cells were decreased in allergic rhinitis patients but still higher than in healthy. CONCLUSIONS The upregulated level of costimulatory molecules CD28/B7-2 and CD40/ CD40L on T cells and B cells may play an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis, specific immunotherapy can downregulate the expression level of CD28/B7-2 and CD40/CD40L, and decrease the serum level of TIgE, it may be a possible mechanism in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.
Adult ; B-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; metabolism ; B7-2 Antigen ; metabolism ; CD28 Antigens ; metabolism ; CD40 Antigens ; metabolism ; CD40 Ligand ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Desensitization, Immunologic ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Male ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; blood ; immunology ; metabolism ; therapy ; T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of recombinant human soluble CD(40) ligand (rhsCD(40)L) and CD(40)L cDNA transfected cell (CD(40)L-TC) on the behavior of malignant B lymphocytes, and investigate the possibility of using rhsCD(40)L as a new bio-factor in tumor immunotherapy.

METHODrhsCD(40)L and CD(40)L-TC were obtained by gene recombinant techniques. Multiple myeloma cell lines, XG2, XG7, U266 and 8226, B-lymphoma cell lines, Raji and Daudi were selected to detect responses to rhsCD(40)L and CD(40)L-TC stimulation. Cell growth curve, cell cycle, early apoptosis as well as membrane surface molecules on these cell lines were analyzed.

RESULTS(1) The expression levels of CD(40) molecule on malignant B lymphocytes showed heterogeneity. High level of CD(40) on XG2, moderate on 8266, Raji, and Daudi, and no expression on U266 and XG7 were detected. The rhsCD(40)L stimulation gave rise to a typical homo-type cell aggregation of XG2 and Daudi. Meanwhile, at least 10 to 20 of CD(40)(+) XG2 or CD(40)(+) Daudi cells were found adherent to one pre-treat ed CD(40)L-TC. (2) Co-incubation with rhsCD(40)L (5 micro g/ml), or CD(40)L-TC (tumor cell: CD(40) = 5:1) resulted in a significant inhibition of in vitro cell growth of XG2, Raji and Daudi, with G(1)-phase arrest for XG2 and G(2)-phase for Raji and Daudi. These two kinds of CD(40) stimulators induced XG2, Raji and Daudi cells to apoptosis in vitro. The apoptotic rate for XG2 was 23.3% (rhsCD(40)L) and 18.8% (CD(40)L-TC), for Daudi 14.2% and 15.9%, and for Raji 11.6% and 8.9% respectively. (3) Phenotype analysis showed that CD(95) expression levels were significantly up-regulated on XG2, Raji and Daudi after stimulation with rhsCD(40)L or CD(40)L-TC, and CD(80) and CD(18) expression levels on Raji were respectively enhanced and decreased.

CONCLUSIONThe abilities to directly inhibit XG2, Daudi and Raji cell proliferation, to induce themapoptosis, as well as to up-regulate immune co-stimulator molecule CD(80) expression on Raji cells would make rhsCD(40)L a potential bio-factor for tumor immuno-therapy.

B-Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; CD40 Antigens ; metabolism ; CD40 Ligand ; genetics ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Coculture Techniques ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Humans ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Recombinant Proteins ; pharmacology ; Time Factors ; Transfection ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of prolactin on CD40 and CD154 expressions on the surface of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and explore the role of prolactin in the pathogenesis of SLE.

METHODSThe serum prolectin level was detected in 30 SLE patients and 20 healthy volunteers, from whom peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were also isolated to examine the expressions of CD40 and CD154 using flow cytometry.

RESULTSCD154 significantly increased on the PBMCs in SLE patients with high serum prolectin level in comparison with that in patients with normal prolactin level or the normal controls (P<0.05). When the PBMCs were incubated with recombinant human prolactin, CD154 expression was significantly increased in SLE patients with normal serum prolactin level (P<0.05), but not in the normal control group (P>0.05). Incubation of the PBMCs in the presence of bromocriptine did not result in significantly decreased CD154 expression in SLE patients irrespective of the prolactin level, nor was significant difference found in CD40 expression on the surface of PBMCs between SLE patients and the normal controls(P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONProlactin plays an important role in the pathogenesis of SLE by increasing CD154 expression on the PBMCs, and bromocriptine produces no significant inhibitory effect on either endogenous or exogenous prolectin.

Adult ; CD40 Antigens ; metabolism ; CD40 Ligand ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; blood ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Prolactin ; blood ; pharmacology