CD40-CD40L Interaction in Immunity Against Protozoan Infections

[摘要] Activation of the immune system against protozoan infections reliesparticularly on two specific signals provided by cognate interaction of Tcells with antigen presenting cells (APCs). The first signal is attributedto binding of the T-cell receptor (TCR) to peptide/MHC complexes on thesurface of APCs, whereas the second signal is triggered through binding ofseveral costimulatory molecules on the surface of APCs with theircorresponding receptors on T cells. Among these costimulatory signallings,CD40/CD40L interactions have been particularly investigated in protozoaninfection models with regard to their potential to amplify cell-mediatedimmunity against intracellular parasites. This article reviews currentstudies of the potential role of CD40/CD40L interaction in the modulation ofimmune responses against some protozoan parasites and highlights recentdevelopments regarding manipulation of this interaction for promotingcontrol of parasite infections.

[学科分类] 基础医学