Upregulation of the CD40/CD40 ligand dyad and platelet-monocyte aggregation in cigarette smokers

S A Harding, J Sarma, D H Josephs, N L Cruden, J N Din, P J Twomey, K A A Fox, D E Newby

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

BACKGROUND: Smoking is a potent cardiovascular risk factor and is associated with proinflammatory and prothrombotic responses. The CD40/CD40 ligand (CD40L) dyad and platelet-monocyte aggregation mediate a range of proinflammatory and prothrombotic processes thought to be important in atherothrombosis. We investigated whether expression of the CD40/CD40L dyad and platelet-monocyte aggregation are altered in cigarette smokers.

METHODS AND RESULTS: C-reactive protein (CRP), soluble (s) CD40L, and surface expression of CD40L on platelets and T cells and of CD40 on monocytes and platelet-monocyte aggregates were compared in 25 cigarette smokers and 25 age- and gender-matched nonsmokers. Cigarette smokers had increased serum CRP (2.47+/-2.60 versus 0.94+/-0.96 mg/L, P=0.008) and appeared to have elevated plasma sCD40L (0.8+/-1.09 versus 0.37+/-0.21 ng/mL, P=0.07) concentrations. Smokers also had increased surface expression of CD40 on monocytes (45.9+/-7.7% versus 39.9+/-6.5%, P=0.006), of CD40L on platelets (2.9+/-1.0% versus 2.3+/-0.6%, P=0.03), and of platelet-monocyte aggregates (26.6+/-10.9% versus 19.7+/-8.6%, P=0.02). Plasma cotinine concentrations correlated with monocyte CD40 expression, platelet CD40L expression, and platelet-monocyte aggregates.

CONCLUSIONS: Cigarette smokers have upregulation of the CD40/CD40L dyad and platelet-monocyte aggregation that may account for the atherothrombotic consequences of this major cardiovascular risk factor.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1926-9
Number of pages4
JournalCirculation
Volume109
Issue number16
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 27 Apr 2004

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • Adult
  • Antigens, CD40
  • Blood Platelets
  • C-Reactive Protein
  • CD40 Ligand
  • Cell Aggregation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Monocytes
  • Smoking
  • Up-Regulation

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