“…[1][2][3] Beyond its function in cellmediated and humoral immunity, 4 ligation of CD40 on vascular cells, eg, endothelial cells (ECs), smooth muscle cells (SMCs), and monocytes/macrophages (M⌽), induces the expression of a variety of mediators implicated in atherogenesis, including adhesion molecules, chemokines, cytokines, growth factors, matrix-degrading enzymes, coagulation factors, and others (eg, cyclooxygenase-2, caspase-1, serine proteinase inhibitor-9). 1,5,6 In human as well as murine atherosclerotic lesions, the endothelium, SMC, M⌽, and T cells express CD40L and its receptor CD40.…”