Interference of the CD30-CD30L pathway reduces atherosclerosis development

OBJECTIVE: Costimulatory molecules tightly control immune responses by providing positive signals that promote T-cell activation or by transducing inhibitory signals that limit T-cell responses. CD30 and CD30L are members of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily and are involved in the activation and proliferation of T and B cells, which have been implicated in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. In the present study, we thus aimed to determine the role of the CD30-CD30L pathway in the development of atherosclerosis.

METHODS AND RESULTS: Western-type diet-fed low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient mice were treated with an anti-CD30L antibody for 8 weeks, which resulted in a reduction of atherosclerotic lesion formation in the aortic root by 35%. Reduced numbers of adventitial CD3(+) T cells were found in anti-CD30L-treated mice, whereas no differences were observed in collagen and macrophage content of the atherosclerotic lesions. B-cell and mast cell responses were also not affected on anti-CD30L treatment. Interestingly, splenocyte proliferation was reduced by 53%, whereas T-cell numbers were concomitantly reduced in anti-CD30L-treated mice compared with control mice. These data thus indicate that the CD30-CD30L pathway solely exerts its function via inhibition of T-cell responses.

CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, we are the first to show that interruption of the CD30-CD30L pathway reduced initial atherosclerosis development by modulating T-cell function.