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CD40 interacts directly with RAG1 and RAG2 in autoaggressive T cells and Fas prevents CD40-induced RAG expression

Cellular & Molecular Immunology volume 10, pages 483–489 (2013)Cite this article

Abstract

CD4+ T cells expressing CD40 (Th40 cells) constitute a pathogenic T-cell subset that is necessary and sufficient to transfer autoimmune disease. We have previously demonstrated that CD40 signals peripheral Th40 cells to induce RAG1 and RAG2 expression, proteins necessary for the expression of T-cell receptor (TCR), leading to TCR revision. The dependency of TCR expression in the thymus on RAG proteins has long been known. However, despite numerous publications, there is controversy as to whether TCR expression can be altered in the periphery, post-thymic selective pressures. Therefore, a better understanding of TCR expression in primary peripheral cells is needed. We now show that the CD40 protein itself interacts with RAG1 and RAG2 as well as with Ku70 and translocates to the nucleus in Th40 cells. This indicates that the CD40 molecule is closely involved in the mechanism of TCR expression in the periphery. In addition, Fas signals act as a silencing mechanism for CD40-induced RAGs and prevent CD40 translocation to the nucleus. It will be important to further understand the involvement of CD40 in peripheral TCR expression and how TCR revision impacts auto-antigen recognition in order to effectively target and tolerize autoaggressive T cells in autoimmune disease.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by grants from the American Diabetes Association, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the Kleberg Foundation and an R01 from NIDDK awarded to DHW. We thank Dr Kathryn Haskins and Dr Rocky Baker, University of Colorado at Denver and National Jewish Health, for generously supplying BDC T-cell clones.

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  1. Department of Medicine and Webb-Waring Center, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA

    Gisela M Vaitaitis & David H Wagner

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  1. Gisela M Vaitaitis
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Correspondence to David H Wagner.

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Vaitaitis, G., Wagner, D. CD40 interacts directly with RAG1 and RAG2 in autoaggressive T cells and Fas prevents CD40-induced RAG expression. Cell Mol Immunol 10, 483–489 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/cmi.2013.24

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