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J. Exp. Med.,
Volume 188, Number 2, July 20, 1998 297-304
By
From the Department of Immunology, Birmingham Medical School, Birmingham B15 2TT,
United Kingdom
This report investigates the role of OX40 ligand (OX40L) and its receptor, OX40, expressed
on activated B and T cells, respectively, in promoting the differentiation of T helper type 2 (Th2) CD4 T cells. These molecules are expressed in vivo by day 2 after priming with T cell-
dependent antigens. Their expression coincides with the appearance of immunoglobulin (Ig)G
switch transcripts and mRNA for interleukin (IL)-4 and interferon (IFN)-
, suggesting that
this molecular interaction plays a role in early cognate interactions between B and T cells. In
vitro, we report that costimulation of naive, CD62Lhigh CD4 T cells through OX40 promotes
IL-4 expression and upregulates mRNA for the chemokine receptor, blr-1, whose ligand is expressed in B follicles and attracts lymphocytes to this location. Furthermore, T cell stimulation
through OX40 inhibits IFN-
expression in both CD8 T cells and IL-12-stimulated CD4 T
cells. Although this signal initiates IL-4 expression, IL-4 itself is strongly synergistic. Our data
suggest that OX40L on antigen-activated B cells instructs naive T cells to differentiate into Th2
cells and migrate into B follicles, where T cell-dependent germinal centers develop.
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