CD40 and atherosclerosis: For example, increased expression of proteins such as VCAM-1, ICAM-1, E-selectin, CD40, lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1 (LOX-1) [9], production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) [10] and reactive oxygen species (ROS), and decreased secretion levels of NO [11] contribute to both initiation and progression of atherosclerosis.