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Updated: May 17, 2026

Quantitative Analysis of Cellular Composition in Advanced Atherosclerotic Lesions of Smooth Muscle Cell Lineage-Tracing Mice
Published on: February 20, 2019
Interference of the CD30-CD30L pathway reduces atherosclerosis development.
Amanda C Foks1, Ilze Bot, Vanessa Frodermann
1Division of Biopharmaceutics, Leiden Amsterdam Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands. a.c.foks@lacdr.leidenuniv.nl
Blocking the CD30-CD30L pathway significantly reduced atherosclerosis development in mice. This intervention modulated T-cell function, highlighting a novel therapeutic target for cardiovascular disease.
Area of Science:
- Immunology and Cardiovascular Science
Background:
- Costimulatory molecules regulate T-cell activation and immune responses.
- The CD30-CD30L pathway, part of the TNF receptor superfamily, influences T and B cell activity.
- This pathway is implicated in atherosclerosis initiation and progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the CD30-CD30L pathway in atherosclerosis development.
- To determine if targeting CD30-CD30L impacts atherosclerotic lesion formation.
Main Methods:
- Low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient mice were fed a Western-type diet.
- Mice received an anti-CD30L antibody treatment for 8 weeks.
- Atherosclerotic lesion formation, T-cell populations, and splenocyte proliferation were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Anti-CD30L treatment reduced atherosclerotic lesion formation in the aortic root by 35%.
- A decrease in adventitial CD3(+) T cells was observed, with no changes in collagen or macrophage content.
- Splenocyte proliferation decreased by 53%, accompanied by reduced T-cell numbers, indicating CD30-CD30L primarily affects T-cell responses.
Conclusions:
- Interruption of the CD30-CD30L pathway effectively reduces early atherosclerosis development.
- The CD30-CD30L pathway modulates T-cell function, representing a novel therapeutic target.
- This study is the first to demonstrate the role of CD30-CD30L in atherosclerosis modulation via T-cell function.
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