title: [Developments in the study of CD40/ CD40L gene and its polymorphism in atherosclerosis].
abstract: CD40/CD40L is a pair of complementary transmembrane glycoproteins, expressed on immune cells, endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, platelets and other cells involved in regulation of immunity, inflammation, coagulation and other pathophysiologic states. A large number of researches have demonstrated that, when atherosclerosis occurs, CD40L ligates CD40; subsequently CD40 is activated and stimulates downstream signaling pathways, including nuclear factor-kappaB, with consequent up-regulation of proinflammatory and proatherogenic genes. Thus it plays an important role in the occurrence, development and plaque-rupture of atherosclerosis. CD40/CD40L is a bridge between immunity, inflammation, and a hypercoagulable state, and may be an important target for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Third Xiangya Hospital; College of Pharmacy, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China.
authors.forename: Tian
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Ren
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Bikui
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D019013:CD40 Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D023201:CD40 Ligand / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity / Q000502:physiology; D007249:Inflammation / Q000503:physiopathology; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D019851:Thrombophilia / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D019013:CD40 Antigens; D016328:NF-kappa B; D023201:CD40 Ligand