title: CTSS activation coexists with CD40 activation in human atheroma: evidence from plasma mRNA analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  By the analysis of plasma mRNA levels, we tested the hypothesis that, in human atheroma, CTSS activation coexists with activation of CD40.
  
  
  METHODS
  mRNAs were isolated from plasma of patients with coronary atherosclerosis and quantified by real-time RT-PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CTSS mRNA levels correlated with CD40 mRNA levels, independently of observed traditional risk factors for atherosclerosis and pharmacological treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that CTSS mediated atherogenesis may be associated with a CD40 mediated inflammatory and immune response. Further invasive atheroma analysis is reasonable.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia. darko.cerne@ffa.uni-lj.si
authors.forename: Darko
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cerne
authors.forename: Irma
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Stern
authors.forename: Janja
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marc
authors.forename: Andreja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cerne
authors.forename: Darko
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zorman
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Krzisnik-Zorman
authors.forename: Igor
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kranjec
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019013:CD40 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism*; D002403:Cathepsins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D019013:CD40 Antigens; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D002403:Cathepsins; C028217:cathepsin S