From atherosclerosis to acute coronary syndromes: the role of soluble CD40 ligand. 2010

Dimitris Tousoulis, and Emmanouel Androulakis, and Nikolaos Papageorgiou, and Alexandros Briasoulis, and Gerasimos Siasos, and Charalambos Antoniades, and Christodoulos Stefanadis
1st Cardiology Unit, Hippokration Hospital, Athens University Medical School, 115 28 Athens, Greece. drtousoulis@hotmail.com

The binding of CD40 ligand (CD40L) to CD40 stimulates inflammatory processes including the release of proinflammatory cytokines and the expression of adhesion molecules implying a role in atherosclerosis. Patients exhibiting hypercholesterolemia, unstable angina, or acute myocardial infarction present with increased CD40L levels. Novel data suggest that elevated soluble CD40L levels not only represent a risk factor for cardiovascular disease but also predict future adverse events, especially in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Examination of the potential role of the genetic variability on CD40/CD40L genes in ACS, as regards the regulation of CD40L, appears to be of great interest. Moreover, several therapeutic approaches such as statins, antihypertensive agents, and antiplatelet agents have been suggested as potential modulators of CD40L levels anticipating a positive impact on the outcomes of patients with ACS. Whether specific agents target the CD40/CD40L system as well as its pathogenic role in ACS remains to be elucidated by large-scale studies in the future.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D050197 Atherosclerosis A thickening and loss of elasticity of the walls of ARTERIES that occurs with formation of ATHEROSCLEROTIC PLAQUES within the ARTERIAL INTIMA. Atherogenesis,Atherogeneses,Atheroscleroses
D054058 Acute Coronary Syndrome An episode of MYOCARDIAL ISCHEMIA that generally lasts longer than a transient anginal episode that ultimately may lead to MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION. Acute Coronary Syndromes,Coronary Syndrome, Acute,Coronary Syndromes, Acute,Syndrome, Acute Coronary,Syndromes, Acute Coronary
D023201 CD40 Ligand A membrane glycoprotein and differentiation antigen expressed on the surface of T-cells that binds to CD40 ANTIGENS on B-LYMPHOCYTES and induces their proliferation. Mutation of the gene for CD40 ligand is a cause of HYPER-IGM IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME, TYPE 1. Antigens, CD154,CD154 Antigens,Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 5,Antigen, CD154,CD154 Antigen,CD40L,T-B Cell Activating Molecule,TNF Superfamily, Member 5,gp39 Antigen, T-Cell,T-Cell gp39 Antigen,gp39 Antigen, T Cell

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