A synthetic peptide corresponding to a sequence at the N-terminus of human CD40L(47-65aa HRRLDKIEDERNLHEDFVF), different from the related mouse sequence by three amino acids, rat sequence by four amino acids.
CD40 ligand(CD40L) is a type II membrane protein of 261 amino acids on activated T cells that induces B cell proliferation and immunoglobulin secretion. It has homology with tumour necrosis factor-alpha and -beta, and has important functions in B-cell activation and differentiation. Human CD40L with 5 exons, is mapped to the proximal region of the mouse X chromosome on Xq26.3-27.1, and can be detected on T cells but is absent from B cells and monocytes. Since CD40L is expressed on platelets and released from them on activation, its predictive value as a marker for clinical outcome and the therapeutic effect of inhibition of glycoprotein IIb /IIIa receptor in patients with acute coronary syndromes was investigated. The soluble CD40L may be involved in the process of restenosis and that it exerts its effect by triggering a complex group of inflammatory reactions on endothelial and mononuclear cells.
