Low-grade B cell lymphomas of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT-type) require CD40-mediated signaling and Th2-type cytokines for in vitro growth and differentiation.

To investigate the mechanisms of T cell dependence underlying the development of extranodal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT)-type B cell lymphomas, the activation, proliferation, and differentiation of lymphoma B cells were studied using ligand binding to the CD40 membrane receptor. The activation and proliferative response of all investigated low-grade MALT-type lymphomas (n = 6) was strongly dependent on anti-CD40-mediated signals and was complemented by cytokines produced by T helper cells of the Th2 type (interleukin-4 (IL-4) and/or IL-10). Th1 cytokines (IL-2 and/or interferon-gamma) bad little effect. Low-grade, but less so high-grade, MALT-type lymphoma B cells were induced to secrete large amounts of tumor immunoglobulin in response to IL-10. In contrast, high-grade MALT-type lymphomas (n = 5) proliferated in response to both Th2- and Th1-type cytokines and CD40 stimulation, whereas Burkitt lymphomas (n = 3) could not be rescued from apoptosis by CD40 stimulation with or without cytokines. These results suggest that CD40 signaling in combination with Th2 cytokines are essential for the development and progression of low-grade MALT-type B cell lymphoma. We conclude that T cells, which activate B cells in a CD40-dependent fashion, may contribute to lymphoma pathogenesis.