Research has suggested that the CD40 and CD40L may be useful markers in acute coronary syndromes (ACS).
CD40 is a 48-kD glycoprotein expressed on the cell surface of all mature B-cells except plasma cells, most mature B-cell malignancies, some early B-cell acute lymphocytic leukaemias, monocytes, dendritic cells, endothelial cells and epithelial cells.
CD40L, also known as CD40 Ligand or CD154, is a protein that is primarily expressed on activated T cells but is also expressed on a wide variety of cells.
In addition, CD40L may be cleaved to produce a soluble fragment known as sCD40L, which retains its biological activity.
It has been suggested that the CD40-CD40L and SCD40L may be useful markers in ACS.
The interaction of CD-40 and CD40L contribute to the inflammatory process that leads to atherosclerosis and thrombosis.
It has also been observed that sCD40L is elevated in patients with unstable angina.
These findings, along with many other studies in search of biochemical markers to assess risk, diagnose and treatment of various syndromes, are the result of development, manufacture and sale of antigens, antibodies and reagents by companies such as Meridian Life Science.
