Relationship between CD40 ligand expression and B type natriuretic peptide levels in patients with chronic heart failure

Abstract

Background Inflammation plays a pathogenic role in the development of chronic heart failure (CHF). Increasing evidence shows that CD40-CD40 ligand (CD40L) interaction plays a pathogenic role in inflammatory disorders. We assessed whether CD40 ligand expression was abnormal in patients with CHF. Methods Twenty normal controls and 86 patients with CHF were investigated. The expression of CD40L on platelets was analyzed by indirect-immunofluorescence flow cytometry, and the soluble CD40L (sCD40L) level was determined by a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). B type natriuretic peptide (BNP) was measured by radioimmunoassay. Results All patients with CHF showed a significant increased expression of CD40L (32.3 ± 13.9 MFI) on platelets and sCD40L levels (20.5 ± 8.6 µg/l) compared with controls(p < 0.0001). CD40L expression on platelets and sCD40L levels positively correlated with New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class, left ventricular ejection fraction and BNP levels in CHF. Conclusions Patients with CHF showed increased expression of CD40L system, which may create a pathogenic role in the development and progression of CHF.