Inverse correlation between soluble CD40 ligand and soluble CD40 is absent in patients with unstable angina

Abstract

The CD40/CD40 ligand (CD40L) system mediates inflammatory processes important in atherogenesis and plaque instability. The expression of CD40L on activated T cells was suppressed by soluble CD40 (sCD40) in vitro. However, the relationship between soluble CD40L (sCD40L) and sCD40 in unstable angina (UA) is still unknown. Thirty-seven consecutive patients with recent chest pain or discomfort were recruited. Patients with both Braunwald's class IB-IIIB and with coronary stenosis (or stenoses) of >75% were assigned to the UA group (n = 19, aged 67.2 +/- 8.2 years), and the rest to the control group (n = 18, aged 63.4 +/- 8.7 years). The serum levels of sCD40L and sCD40, and the plasma levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. A significantly inverse correlation between sCD40L and sCD40 was shown in the controls (r = -0.72, P = 0.0007), but was absent in the UA group (r = -0.16, P not significant), although there was no statistical significance between these groups in terms of serum levels of sCD40L or sCD40. The difference of the regression slopes of these regression lines was statistically significant (P < 0.01). Additionally, there was a significant correlation between sCD40 and plasma levels of MMP-9 in the patients with and without UA (r = 0.58, P = 0.0096), but no significant correlation between sCD40L and MMP-9 levels (r = 0.00, P not significant). The balance between CD40 and CD40L may be lost in patients with UA. Soluble CD40 expression may also be related to MMP-9 expression in atherosclerotic tissues.

Increased serum concentrations of Soluble CD40 Ligand as a prognostic marker in patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

“…Weber et al (14) and Ahn et al (15) have reported that the reliable sample types for assessment of sCD40L were plasma when compared to serum. Tsuzuki et al (16) has observed no significant difference in serum sCD40L between UA and controls, in contrast to previously reported studies demonstrating increase in serum sCD40L in ACS patients. Ivandic et al (17) have reported significant increase of plasma sCD40L in ACS patients.…”

Identifying Vulnerable Atherosclerotic Plaque in Rabbits Using DMSA-USPIO Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Investigate the Effect of Atorvastatin

“…It is also deemed to be important in several inflammatory processes inducing VP. Expression of sCD40L may also be related to MMP-9 expression in atherosclerotic tissues [ 35 ]. CD40L will probably be a potential marker of instability of plaques [ 36 ].…”

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 index as a possible parameter for predicting acute coronary syndrome in diabetics

“…Matrix activity was observed in carcinogenesis, in some degenerative processes, and inflammatory conditions including atherogenesis. MMPs primarily MMP-9 has clinical significance in the serum of diabetic patients in inflammatory processes involving in plaque rupture and leading to acute coronary event with elevated levels [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] . MMP-9 is localized on the shoulders of plaque, a thin area which is suspected for rupture.…”