Estrogen increases CD40 ligand expression in T cells from women with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Abstract

These results suggest that estradiol, working through the estrogen receptor, stimulates the expression of CD40L in unstimulated and activated SLE T cells. Estradiol effects may be exerted on multiple regulatory steps that control CD40L expression. The estrogen dependent increase in CD40L expression could hyperstimulate SLE T cells and thereby contribute to the pathogenesis of SLE.