Functional T-lymphocyte dichotomy in the peripheral blood of patients with unstable angina

Arnon Adler, Yair Levy, Arie Roth, Dov Wexler, Gad Keren, Jacob George*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVES. Herein, we investigated the percentage of T-helper (Th1) and Th2 cells among the general T-cell population in the peripheral blood of patients with stable angina (SA) and unstable angina (UA). BACKGROUND. Recent evidence suggests that Th1 cells and the cytokines that they secrete (especially IFN-γ) have a role in the activation of macrophages, promotion of clot formation and destabilization of atherosclerotic plaques. Thus, Th1 cytokines may contribute to the initiation and progression of UA. In contrast, cytokines secreted by Th2 cells (e.g. IL-10) are known to inhibit activation and proliferation of Th1 cells and the secretion of IFN-γ, lysosomal enzymes and metalloproteinases. Therefore, we sought to examine whether the ratio of IFN-γ to IL-10 secreting cells is altered in patients with UA. METHODS. The percentage of Th1 and Th2 cells among the general T-cell population was determined by fluorescent intracellular cytokine staining (IFN-γ and IL-10, out of the total CD3 positive cells). RESULTS. The percentage of T-cells positive for intracellular IFN-γ was significantly higher in patients with UA (n=22) in comparison with SA (n=20) patients (39.0 ± 2.8% and 29.6 ± 2.7%, respectively. P=0.02). There was no significant difference in intracellular IL-10 positive cells between the two groups. In addition, there was no significant difference in the ratio between the intracellular IFN-γ positive cells and the intracellular IL-10 positive cells. CONCLUSIONS. There is an increased activity of Th1 cells in patients with UA in comparison with patients with SA. There is no evidence of heightened activity of Th2 cells in either group. Thus, IFN-γ secreted by peripheral blood T-lymphocytes, may be an important immunomodulator contributing to destabilization of the atheromatous plaque lying at the base of the etiopathogenesis of unstable angina.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)146-151
Number of pages6
JournalInternational Journal of Cardiovascular Interventions
Volume7
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2005

Keywords

  • Angina pectoris
  • Atherosclerosis
  • IFN-γ
  • IL-10
  • Lymphocytes

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