Soluble CD40L is associated with increased oxidative burst and neutrophil extracellular trap release in Behçet’s disease

Background Studies have suggested that soluble factors in plasma from patients with active (aBD) and inactive (iBD) Behcet’s disease (BD) stimulate neutrophil function. Soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) is an important mediator of inflammation in BD. Its expression and effect on neutrophil oxidative burst and neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) release have not been characterized. In this study, we sought to investigate the role of plasma and the CD40L pathway on NET release and the oxidative burst profile in patients with aBD and iBD.