Cutting edge: Ectopic expression of CD40 ligand on B cells induces lupus-like autoimmune disease

CD40 ligand (CD40L) is ectopically expressed on B cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus-prone BXSB mice. To assess the role of the ectopic CD40L expression in development of SLE, we have established transgenic mice expressing CD40L on B cells. Some of the 12- to 14-mo-old CD40L-transgenic mice spontaneously produced autoantibodies such as antinuclear Abs, anti-DNA Abs, and antihistone Abs. Moreover, approximately half of the transgenic mice developed glomerulonephritis with immune-complex deposition, whereas the kidneys of the normal littermates showed either no pathological findings or only mild histological changes. These results indicate that CD40L on B cells causes lupus-like disease in the presence of yet unknown environmental factors that by themselves do not induce the disease. Thus, ectopic CD40L expression on B cells may play a crucial role in development of SLE.