Posted by Immunologist on June 04, 1999 at 22:09:13:
In Reply to: Re: anti-cd40L/anti cd154 posted by Sandy Donchess on June 04, 1999 at 21:20:56:
Try searching for online immunology sources--for example, try:
http://mentor.lscf.ucsb.edu/mcdb133/ A brief discussion of CD40L's role in T cell dependent-B cell differentiation (ie, antibody production) is in chapter 8 (figure 8-10). It only mentions one key function of CD40L in mediating B cell activation. CD40L interacts with CD40 on B cells and this interaction is required for B cells to make antibodies, including pathogenic autoantibodies (such as anti-double stranded DNA antibodies in lupus or rheumatoid factor antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis). But that's only one, albeit critical role, of CD40L in immune responses. CD40L also is involved in regulating T cell activation and it is via this mechanism that disrupting CD40L function may inhibit transplant rejection.