Generation of an effective immune response against foreign antigens requires two distinct molecular signals: a primary signal provided by the binding of antigen-specific T-cell receptor to peptide-MHC on antigen-presenting cells and a secondary signal delivered via the engagement of costimulatory molecules. Among various costimulatory signaling pathways, the interactions between CD40 and its ligand CD154 have been extensively investigated given their essential roles in the modulation of adaptive immunity. Here, we review current understanding of the role CD40/CD154 costimulation pathway has in alloimmunity, and summarize recent mechanistic and preclinical advances in the evaluation of candidate therapeutic approaches to target this receptor-ligand pair in transplantation.
Keywords: CD40/CD154; T cells; alloimmunity; costimulation; tolerance; transplantation.