Rationally-designed Multivalent Architectures for Mimicking Homotrimers of CD40L, a Member of the TNF Superfamily

摘要

Ligands and receptors of the TNF superfamilies play a central role in the organization and function of the immune system [1]. Ligands of the TNF-family, share a common structural motif. Monomers self-assemble around a three-fold symmetry axis to form non-covalent homotrimers that can each bind three receptor molecules. Interaction between CD40, a member of the TNF receptor superfamily, and its ligand CD40L, a 39 kDa glycoprotein is essential for the development of humoral and cellular immune responses. Selective blockade or activation of this pathway provides the ground for the development of new treatments against immunologically based-diseases and malignancies.