OBJECTIVE: To examine the potential impact of beta-blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, medications which modulate beta-adrenergic signaling, on immune function in patients with chronic heart failure (HF). METHODS: 118 patients attending an HF center were tested for circulating levels of norepinephrine (NE), T cells and the inflammation-associated cytokine interleukin 6 (IL-6). Levels of the cytokines interferon-gamma (IFNgamma), IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) produced by cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were measured in culture supernatants following T cell stimulation in vitro. RESULTS: NE levels were significantly lower in patients receiving ACE inhibitors (p = 0.0263), with a trend toward lower NE in patients receiving beta-blockers. All patients exhibited relatively normal levels of T cells, and there was a trend toward higher levels of total (CD3+) and helper (CD4+) T cells (p = 0.0578 and 0.0932, respectively) in patients receiving either type of medication. The ratios of Th1 (IFNgamma) to Th2 (IL-10) cytokines were lower in patients receiving a combination of beta-blocker and ACE inhibitor therapy (p = 0.0373). NYHA class was a significant predictor of serum IL-6 (p < 0.0001). There was a trend toward lower levels of serum IL-6 in patients receiving both types of medications (p = 0.0606). TNFalpha production by CD3/CD28-stimulated PBMC was significantly lower in patients receiving ACE inhibitor medications (p = 0.0223). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that high sympathetic tone associated with chronic HF affects Th1/Th2 and inflammatory cytokine production, and that these effects can be modulated by medications. In addition to improvement in clinical parameters relating to cardiovascular function, beta-blocker and ACE inhibitor medications also appear to have a beneficial effect on the immune system in HF. Copyright 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel
OBJECTIVE: To examine the potential impact of beta-blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, medications which modulate beta-adrenergic signaling, on immune function in patients with chronic heart failure (HF). METHODS: 118 patients attending an HF center were tested for circulating levels of norepinephrine (NE), T cells and the inflammation-associated cytokine interleukin 6 (IL-6). Levels of the cytokines interferon-gamma (IFNgamma), IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) produced by cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were measured in culture supernatants following T cell stimulation in vitro. RESULTS: NE levels were significantly lower in patients receiving ACE inhibitors (p = 0.0263), with a trend toward lower NE in patients receiving beta-blockers. All patients exhibited relatively normal levels of T cells, and there was a trend toward higher levels of total (CD3+) and helper (CD4+) T cells (p = 0.0578 and 0.0932, respectively) in patients receiving either type of medication. The ratios of Th1 (IFNgamma) to Th2 (IL-10) cytokines were lower in patients receiving a combination of beta-blocker and ACE inhibitor therapy (p = 0.0373). NYHA class was a significant predictor of serum IL-6 (p < 0.0001). There was a trend toward lower levels of serum IL-6 in patients receiving both types of medications (p = 0.0606). TNFalpha production by CD3/CD28-stimulated PBMC was significantly lower in patients receiving ACE inhibitor medications (p = 0.0223). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that high sympathetic tone associated with chronic HF affects Th1/Th2 and inflammatory cytokine production, and that these effects can be modulated by medications. In addition to improvement in clinical parameters relating to cardiovascular function, beta-blocker and ACE inhibitor medications also appear to have a beneficial effect on the immune system in HF. Copyright 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel
Authors: Mary-Frances O'Connor; Julie E Bower; Hyong Jin Cho; J David Creswell; Stoyan Dimitrov; Mary E Hamby; Michael A Hoyt; Jennifer L Martin; Theodore F Robles; Erica K Sloan; Kamala S Thomas; Michael R Irwin Journal: Brain Behav Immun Date: 2009-04-21 Impact factor: 7.217
Authors: Michael Platten; Sawsan Youssef; Eun Mi Hur; Peggy P Ho; May H Han; Tobias V Lanz; Lori K Phillips; Matthew J Goldstein; Roopa Bhat; Cedric S Raine; Raymond A Sobel; Lawrence Steinman Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2009-08-19 Impact factor: 11.205
Authors: Nicole D Powell; Erica K Sloan; Michael T Bailey; Jesusa M G Arevalo; Gregory E Miller; Edith Chen; Michael S Kobor; Brenda F Reader; John F Sheridan; Steven W Cole Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2013-09-23 Impact factor: 11.205