The CD40-CD40L dyad in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and multiple sclerosis

Suzanne A.B.M. Aarts, Tom T.P. Seijkens, Koos J.F. van Dorst, Christine D. Dijkstra, Gijs Kooij, Esther Lutgens

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

The CD40-CD40L dyad is an immune checkpoint regulator that promotes both innate and adaptive immune responses and has therefore an essential role in the development of inflammatory diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS). In MS, CD40 and CD40L are expressed on immune cells present in blood and lymphoid organs, affected resident central nervous system (CNS) cells, and inflammatory cells that have infiltrated the CNS. CD40-CD40L interactions fuel the inflammatory response underlying MS, and both genetic deficiency and antibody-mediated inhibition of the CD40-CD40L dyad reduce disease severity in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Both proteins are therefore attractive therapeutic candidates to modulate aberrant inflammatory responses in MS. Here, we discuss the genetic, experimental and clinical studies on the role of CD40 and CD40L interactions in EAE and MS and we explore novel approaches to therapeutically target this dyad to combat neuroinflammatory diseases.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number1791
JournalFrontiers in immunology
Volume8
Issue numberDEC
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 12 2017

Keywords

  • CD40
  • CD40L
  • Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
  • Inflammation
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factors

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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