Serum levels of platelet released CD40 ligand are increased in early onset occlusive carotid artery disease.
OBJECTIVE
Soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) has been suggested as a key mediator between inflammation and atherosclerosis, and the CD40-CD40L interaction has a role in atherosclerotic lesion progression. We evaluated if platelet released serum sCD40L and sCD40 levels differ between patients with early onset occlusive carotid artery disease and age-matched controls.


METHODS
sCD40L and sCD40 levels were measured in serum samples of 60 patients with occlusive carotid artery disease and 30 age-matched controls using ELISA. Degree of stenosis of the internal carotid artery (ICA), and intima-media thickness (IMT) in the common carotid artery were measured by high resolution ultrasound. Values are given as mean +/- SD.


RESULTS
Mean age was 50.9 +/- 3.5 and 50.1 +/- 3.5 years in the patient and control groups. IMT was significantly thicker in patients than in controls (0.89 +/- 0.14 vs. 0.78 +/-0.12 mm, p=0.0003). Serum levels of sCD40L were significantly higher (6.9 +/- 5 vs. 4.5 +/- 3.0 ng/mL, p=0.038) in patients, whereas sCD40 did not differ significantly between patients and controls (85 +/- 56.9 vs. 79.3 +/- 18.7 pg/mL, p=0.34). IMT did not correlate with sCD40L or sCD40 levels (R=-0.03, p=0.77; and R=0.109, p=0.308, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
sCD40L but not sCD40 levels are significantly higher in patients with occlusive carotid artery disease. Platelet derived sCD40L may be a key mediator among inflammation, thrombosis and atherosclerosis.
Balla
József
J
Department of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Medical and Health Science Center, Debrecen, Hungary.
Magyar
Mária Tünde
MT
Bereczki
Dániel
D
Valikovics
Attila
A
Nagy
Emöke
E
Barna
Erika
E
Pál
András
A
Balla
György
G
Csiba
László
L
Blaskó
György
G
D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D019013:CD40 Antigens / Q000097:blood; D023201:CD40 Ligand / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000473:pathology*; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography
D019013:CD40 Antigens; D023201:CD40 Ligand