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CD40/CD40 ligand interactions in the host defense against disseminated Candida albicans infection: the role of macrophage‐derived nitric oxide

CD40L interaction with CD40 is required for normal cellular immune responses such as T cell‐mediated activation of monocytes/macrophages, proinflammatory cytokine production, and leukocyte extravasation. We investigated the role of CD40/CD40 ligand (L) interactions during disseminated candidiasis in CD40L knockout (CD40L–/–) mice. While early during infection there were no differences inthe Candida albicans outgrowth in the organs of wild‐type and knockout mice, the CD40L–/– mice had a significantly increased yeast load in the kidneys compared to CD40L+/+ mice late duringinfection. Similar effects were observed in CD40L+/+ mice in which CD40 ligation was blocked by a neutralizing anti‐CD40 antibody. The peak TNF‐α plasma concentrations were significantly lower in the CD40L–/– mice than in CD40L+/+ mice. C. albicans‐stimulated production of nitric oxide (NO) by peritoneal macrophages from CD40L–/– in vitro was significantly lower than that of control mice, and this was responsible for a reduced candidacidal activity of CD40L–/– macrophages. The role of endogenous NO synthesis induced by CD40 ligation for the defense against disseminated candidiasis was further demonstrated by the absence of these effects in knockout mice deficient in inducible NO‐synthase. In conclusion, absence of CD40/CD40L interactions results in increased susceptibility to disseminated infection with C. albicans through decreased NO‐dependent killing of Candida by macrophages.