In this sense, it has been proposed that endothelial dysfunction, vascular remodelling and the loss of the renal microvessels played a prominent role in inducing renal injury associated with major cardiovascular risk factor [21], with the CD40/CD40L system contributing to the enhanced microvascular thrombosis associated with models of inflammation and with CD40 deficiency protecting against thrombosis [13]. Here, CD40 is linked to endothelial dysfunction.