Increase of intracellular calcium is the essential signal for the expression of CD40 ligand

Eur J Immunol. 1996 Apr;26(4):846-50. doi: 10.1002/eji.1830260418.

Abstract

CD40 ligand (CD40L) is present on activated but not on resting T cells. In contrast to the activation markers CD25 and CD71, a strong CD40L expression could be induced by calcium ionophore alone but not by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Ionomycin induced a very early mRNA and protein surface expression of CD40L within the first 2 h, whereas CD25 and CD71 did not appear earlier than 6 h after stimulation. The mitogens phytohemagglutinin and concanavalin A induced little CD40L, but together with PMA, a markedly increased CD40L expression was observed. In T cells stimulated with immobilized anti-CD3, co-stimulation with anti-CD28 or PMA induced an earlier and higher maximal CD40L expression. CD40L expression of purified T cells was higher and more prolonged compared to that of T cells in unseparated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. We conclude that the expression of CD40L on T cells is profoundly different from other early activation markers with regard to signal requirements, kinetics and the role of accessory cells in the system.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology
  • Antigens, CD / analysis
  • Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte / analysis
  • CD28 Antigens / immunology
  • CD3 Complex / immunology
  • CD40 Ligand
  • Calcium / physiology*
  • Cell Separation
  • Cyclosporine / pharmacology
  • Egtazic Acid / pharmacology
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Gene Expression Regulation / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Fluid
  • Ionomycin / pharmacology
  • Ionophores / pharmacology
  • Lymphocyte Activation* / drug effects
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / biosynthesis*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Mitogens / pharmacology
  • Protein Kinase C / metabolism
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2 / analysis
  • Receptors, Transferrin
  • T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte
  • CD28 Antigens
  • CD3 Complex
  • CD71 antigen
  • Ionophores
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Mitogens
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2
  • Receptors, Transferrin
  • CD40 Ligand
  • Egtazic Acid
  • Ionomycin
  • Cyclosporine
  • Protein Kinase C
  • Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate
  • Calcium