title: The immunobiology of CD154-CD40-TRAF interactions in atherosclerosis.
abstract: Atherosclerosis is a chronic disease of the large arteries that is responsible for the majority of cardiovascular events. In its pathogenesis, the immune system plays a pivotal role. The effectuation of the immune response through interactions between immune cells that is mediated by co-stimulatory molecules, determine atherosclerosis severity. This review will highlight the role of one of the most powerful co-stimulatory dyads, the CD154 (also known as CD40 ligand, CD40L)-CD40 dyad, in atherosclerosis. Its cell-type specific actions, signal transduction cascades and its therapeutic potentials will be discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), University of Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Engel
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Seijkens
authors.forename: Marjorie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Poggi
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sanati
authors.forename: Larissa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Thevissen
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Beckers
authors.forename: Erwin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wijnands
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lievens
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lutgens
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000276:immunology*; D019013:CD40 Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D023201:CD40 Ligand / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology*; D047988:Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor-Associated Peptides and Proteins / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D019013:CD40 Antigens; D047988:Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor-Associated Peptides and Proteins; D023201:CD40 Ligand