CD40 ligation protects bronchial epithelium against oxidant-induced caspase-independent cell death.

KEYWORDS CLASSIFICATION: 7,8-Dihydro-7,8-dihydroxybenzo(a)pyrene 9,10-oxide;Antigens,CD40;Apoptosis;Bronchi;cytology;Caspases;Cell Cycle;Cell Death;Cell Line,Transformed;Cell Survival;Cell Transformation,Viral;Cytoprotection;drug effects;Epithelial Cells;Humans;Italy;mechanisms of carcinogenesis;metabolism;Oxidants;pharmacology;physiology;Research;Simian virus 40;toxicity;Transcription Factor AP-1. CD40 and its ligand regulate pleiotropic biological responses, including cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. In many inflammatory lung diseases, tissue damage by environmental or endogenous oxidants plays a major role in disease pathogenesis. As the epithelial barrier is a major t…