Description
Information: Human CD154 (CD40 Ligand) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family and is expressed on the surface of activated T cells. Interaction of CD154 and CD40 is essential for isotype switching in B cells. Known genetic defects that alter this interaction lead to impaired immune system function (1). CD154 has been shown to be hyperexpressed by B and T cells in SLE patients (4). CD154 has been reported to be expressed on vascular endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells and macrophages indicating a possible role for the CD40-CD154 immunoregulatory signaling mechanism during inflammation and immunity in atherogenesis (6). Human CD154-muCD8 binds to cell surface expressed human CD40 and this binding is blocked by anti-human CD154 monoclonal antibody