Elevated release of sCD40L from platelets of diabetic patients by thrombin, glucose and advanced glycation end

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Experimental and Imaging Techniques for Examining Fibrin Clot Structures in Normal and Diseased States
07:09

Experimental and Imaging Techniques for Examining Fibrin Clot Structures in Normal and Diseased States

Published on: April 1, 2015

Nerea Varo1, Peter Libby, Rebecca Nuzzo

  • 1Donald W Reynolds Cardiovascular Clinical Research Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

Diabetes & Vascular Disease Research
|November 29, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Diabetic patients show increased CD40 ligand (CD40L) within platelets and greater release when stimulated. Glucose and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) may trigger this, explaining higher soluble CD40L (sCD40L) in diabetes.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Biology
  • Immunology
  • Metabolic Disease Research

Background:

  • The CD40/CD40L pathway is implicated in atherosclerosis.
  • Elevated soluble CD40L (sCD40L) levels are observed in diabetic patients and predict cardiovascular events.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare CD40/CD40L surface expression on platelets and T lymphocytes in diabetic and control subjects.
  • To investigate if glucose and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) stimulate sCD40L release.

Main Methods:

  • Compared surface CD40/CD40L expression on platelets and T lymphocytes.
  • Assessed intracellular CD40L content in platelets.
  • Measured sCD40L release from platelets stimulated by thrombin.
  • Investigated the effect of glucose and AGEs on platelet sCD40L release and megakaryocyte CD40L expression.

Main Results:

  • No differences in constitutive or inducible surface CD40/CD40L expression on platelets or T lymphocytes between groups.
  • Diabetic patients had higher intracellular platelet CD40L.
  • Thrombin-stimulated sCD40L release from platelets was significantly greater in diabetic patients.
  • Glucose and AGEs induced sCD40L release and CD40L expression in vitro.

Conclusions:

  • Diabetic patients exhibit increased intracellular CD40L in platelets and enhanced inducible sCD40L release.
  • Glucose and AGEs are identified as potential triggers for elevated sCD40L in diabetic patients.

More Related Videos

Preparation of Washed Human Platelets for Quantitative Metabolic Flux Studies07:06

Preparation of Washed Human Platelets for Quantitative Metabolic Flux Studies

Published on: January 10, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Formation of the Platelet Plug01:22

Formation of the Platelet Plug

The platelet phase, the second stage of hemostasis, commences around 15-20 seconds after an injury. It follows and overlaps with the vascular phase, during which blood vessels constrict to minimize blood loss.
As the injured blood vessel contracts, endothelial cells undergo contraction, revealing collagen fibers in the basement membrane and underlying connective tissue. Furthermore, the plasma membrane of endothelial cells becomes adhesive, preparing the site for platelet adhesion. Platelets...
Diabetic Neuropathy01:22

Diabetic Neuropathy

DefinitionDiabetic neuropathy is nerve damage caused by long-standing diabetes mellitus. It results directly from prolonged high blood sugar levels.PathophysiologyThe pathophysiology of diabetic neuropathy involves both metabolic and vascular disturbances triggered by chronic hyperglycemia.Metabolic injury: Elevated glucose levels activate the polyol pathway within nerve cells, leading to the accumulation of sorbitol and fructose. This increases oxidative stress, disrupts normal nerve...
Diabetic Retinopathy01:27

Diabetic Retinopathy

DefinitionDiabetic retinopathy is a microvascular complication of diabetes affecting the retinal blood vessels.Risk FactorsDiabetic retinopathy is present in almost all individuals with type 1 diabetes and more than 60% of those with type 2 diabetes after two decades of disease.The risk increases with poor glycemic control, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, pregnancy, and puberty.Although cataracts and glaucoma are also more frequent in people with diabetes, retinopathy remains the leading...
Hyperglycemia01:29

Hyperglycemia

Hyperglycemia is an abnormally high blood glucose level. It is diagnosed by fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dL, 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (or OGTT) ≥200 mg/dL, random glucose ≥200 mg/dL with symptoms, or HbA1c ≥6.5%. However, HbA1c results may be unreliable in certain conditions, such as anemia or hemoglobinopathies, and the diagnosis should be confirmed unless classic symptoms are present. Postprandial hyperglycemia is typically considered significant when glucose levels exceed 180 mg/dL two...
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational01:22

Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational

Type 2 diabetes, characterized by insulin resistance, arises when the insulin receptors on cells lose responsiveness to insulin, diminishing the cell's capacity to take up glucose, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels. To receive a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, a series of blood glucose tests are necessary to assess whether the blood glucose falls within normal parameters. If the result is out of the normal range, a patient may be diagnosed as prediabetic or diabetic, depending on the...
Type II Diabetes II: Pathophysiology01:24

Type II Diabetes II: Pathophysiology

PathophysiologyType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM ) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance and progressive pancreatic β-cell dysfunction, leading to impaired glucose homeostasis. It results from interactions among genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and metabolic stressors, such as overnutrition and a sedentary lifestyle.Insulin Resistance and Glucose DysregulationEarly T2DM involves insulin resistance in skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, and the liver.