BACKGROUND: Despite having a similar large extent of atherosclerotic coronary affliction, some patients suffer of recurrent cardiac events, whereas others remain asymptomatic. HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized the existence of a systemic "signature" that could distinguish "vulnerable" patients with preexisting coronary atherosclerosis from those having similar risk factors and atheromatous burden, but no history of clinically evident plaque rupture/erosion. METHODS: Twenty three patients who had at least two prior myocardial infarctions ("vulnerable group") were matched in respect to their background and coronary atherosclerosis extent with twenty one patients without a history of previous myocardial infarction who underwent routine coronary angiography before valvular surgery. We studied a panel of cytokines, antibodies and hormones including IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, antibodies to β2 glycoprotein I (β2GPI), antibodies to oxidized-LDL, adiponectin and resistin, along with levels of circulating EPCs and Tregs. RESULTS: A significantly higher level of Treg cells was present in the control (73.4%±4) than in the "vulnerable patient" group (62.2%±10.7), p<0.001. IL-10 level was also significantly higher in the control than in the vulnerable patients (2.6±1.2 pg/ml versus 0.9±0.1 pg/ml respectively, p=0.03). There was no significant difference in the circulating levels of the other cytokines, hormones or EPCs between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Regulatory T cells and serum IL-10 may discriminate "vulnerable" versus stable patients and may have a protective role against plaque rupture in patients with coronary atherosclerosis.
BACKGROUND: Despite having a similar large extent of atherosclerotic coronary affliction, some patients suffer of recurrent cardiac events, whereas others remain asymptomatic. HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized the existence of a systemic "signature" that could distinguish "vulnerable" patients with preexisting coronary atherosclerosis from those having similar risk factors and atheromatous burden, but no history of clinically evident plaque rupture/erosion. METHODS: Twenty three patients who had at least two prior myocardial infarctions ("vulnerable group") were matched in respect to their background and coronary atherosclerosis extent with twenty one patients without a history of previous myocardial infarction who underwent routine coronary angiography before valvular surgery. We studied a panel of cytokines, antibodies and hormones including IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, antibodies to β2 glycoprotein I (β2GPI), antibodies to oxidized-LDL, adiponectin and resistin, along with levels of circulating EPCs and Tregs. RESULTS: A significantly higher level of Treg cells was present in the control (73.4%±4) than in the "vulnerable patient" group (62.2%±10.7), p<0.001. IL-10 level was also significantly higher in the control than in the vulnerable patients (2.6±1.2 pg/ml versus 0.9±0.1 pg/ml respectively, p=0.03). There was no significant difference in the circulating levels of the other cytokines, hormones or EPCs between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Regulatory T cells and serum IL-10 may discriminate "vulnerable" versus stable patients and may have a protective role against plaque rupture in patients with coronary atherosclerosis.
Authors: Shaomin Tian; Jun Nakamura; Sylvia Hiller; Stephen Simington; Darcy W Holley; Roberto Mota; Monte S Willis; Scott J Bultman; J Christopher Luft; Joseph M DeSimone; Zhenquan Jia; Nobuyo Maeda; Xianwen Yi Journal: Vascul Pharmacol Date: 2020-08-01 Impact factor: 5.773
Authors: Nels C Olson; Reem Sallam; Margaret F Doyle; Russell P Tracy; Sally A Huber Journal: J Cardiovasc Transl Res Date: 2013-08-07 Impact factor: 4.132