Phenotypic and functional characterization of T-BAM (CD40 ligand)+ T-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

TitlePhenotypic and functional characterization of T-BAM (CD40 ligand)+ T-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1994
AuthorsInghirami G, Lederman S, Yellin MJ, Chadburn A, Chess L, Knowles DM
JournalBlood
Volume84
Issue3
Pagination866-72
Date Published1994 Aug 01
ISSN0006-4971
KeywordsCD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes, CD40 Ligand, Humans, Immunophenotyping, Leukemia, Lymphoid, Lymphocyte Activation, Lymphoma, T-Cell, Membrane Glycoproteins, T-Lymphocyte Subsets, Up-Regulation
Abstract

The precise mechanisms regulating T-helper function have been intensively investigated. We and others have recently identified a new T-cell-B-cell-activating molecule called T-BAM that directs B-cell differentiation by interacting with the CD40 molecule on B cells. Using a specific monoclonal antibody against T-BAM (5C8), we have previously shown that T-BAM expressing T cells are predominantly CD4+CD8- and in normal lymphoid tissue have a unique distribution. However, no information has been obtained regarding the phenotype and functional properties of human neoplastic T cells. Therefore, we investigated T-BAM expression immunohistochemically in 87 well-characterized T-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and lymphoid leukemias (LL). We found that 21/81 neoplasms expressed detectable T-BAM and these positive tumors belong almost exclusively to the CD4+CD8- subtype. In addition, to determine whether T-BAM expression could be induced on T-BAM-LL cells, we activated T-BAM-LLs in vitro and showed that T-BAM could be upregulated only in CD4+CD8- tumors. Our studies clearly show that T-BAM is constitutively expressed in a large number of T-cell neoplasms with a relative mature phenotype (CD4+CD8-) and that only CD4+ neoplastic T cells can be induced in vitro to express this molecule. Additional studies are necessary to identify the biologic significance of T-BAM expression and its potential and clinical implications.

Alternate JournalBlood
PubMed ID7913843
Grant ListCA42836 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
EY06337 / EY / NEI NIH HHS / United States
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