The expression of CD40-CD40L and activities of matrix metalloproteinases in atherosclerotic rats

This study investigated the expression of CD40, CD40 ligand (CD40L) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in dietary-induced atherosclerosis in rats. Wister rats were fed with high cholesterol diet (As group, n = 6) or with normal diet (N group, n = 6). Blood cells that express CD40 and CD40L were sorted by flow cytometry, the MMP-2 and MMP-9 were measured by zymography method. The morphological locations of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the aorta were studied with immunohistochemistry and by microscopy. The results showed that the expression of CD40, CD40L and matrix metalloproteinase were higher in As group than those in control group. The MMP-2 and MMP-9 were positive in As group but negative in control group by immunohistochemistry study. Our results suggest that the expression of CD40 and CD40L in the blood cells and the activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in plasma were higher in As group than those in Normal group, indicating that they may contribute to the formation of atherosclerosis.