Rola szlaku CD40/CD40L w biologicznej aktywności płytek krwi. Część II

The main function of blood platelets is their haemostatic role, but recent evidence shows that processes ofplatelet activation may be sometimes a critical link between haemostasis and development of inflammation.The discovery of expression of CD40 and its ligand – CD40L on platelet surface revealed the participation ofthese cells in immune responses and inflammation. In many pathological processes related to cardiovasculardisorders, e.g. changes connected with menopause, enhanced platelet activation is observed in atherosclerosis,diabetes and cancer, in which proinflammatory and prothrombotic CD40/CD40L pathway is involved. Signalsthat drive inflammatory events and are transmitted through CD40/CD40L pathway cause the inflammatory cellinteractions leading to induction of innate immune response. This signal transduction is associated with therelease of adhesion molecules, chemokines, cytokines, tissue factors, reactive oxygen species, growth factorsand other proinflammatory mediators from activated cells. Hyperactivity of platelets associated with signaltransduction by CD40/CD40L pathway is observed in many pathogenic processes, including thrombosis, diabetes,inflammation and cancers. The inhibition of CD40/CD40L pathway may provide alternative treatment forvarious diseases in the future.