| First Author | Lettesjö H | Year | 2000 |
| Journal | J Immunol | Volume | 165 |
| Issue | 7 | Pages | 4095-104 |
| PubMed ID | 11034421 | Mgi Jnum | J:64851 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:1890045 | Doi | 10.4049/jimmunol.165.7.4095 |
| Citation | Lettesjo H, et al. (2000) CD4+ T lymphocytes with constitutive CD40 ligand in preautoimmune (NZB x NZW)F1 lupus-prone mice: phenotype and possible role in autoreactivity. J Immunol 165(7):4095-104 |
| abstractText | Lupus disease is marked by B lymphocyte hyperactivity and the production of Abs to dsDNA. The production of these anti-dsDNA Abs is T lymphocyte dependent. However, it is not clear how CD4+ T lymphocytes provide help for B lymphocytes to produce IgG anti-dsDNA Abs. One possible mechanism is suggested by studies showing that human patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus mice have increased numbers of CD40 ligand (CD40L)+ T and B lymphocytes. The results described in this study reveal that young, clinically healthy lupus-prone New Zealand Black x New Zealand White F1 (BWF1) mice have naive CD4+ T cells with preformed CD40L. These cells contribute to a brisk response to immunization and to the production of anti-dsDNA Abs. In vitro experiments revealed that CD4+ T cells with preformed CD40L could, upon stimulation, provide antiapoptotic signals for B cells but could not induce proliferation or reduce activation threshold. These results suggest that the direct target cells for the effect of T cells with preformed CD40L in lupus may not be B lymphocytes. |
