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Changes in blood dendritic cell counts in relation to type of coronary artery disease and brachial endothelial cell

Emily A Van Vré1, Ilse Van Brussel, Ken Op de Beeck

  • 1Department of Cardiology, University of Antwerp, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium. emily@vanvre.be

Coronary Artery Disease
|February 4, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Coronary artery disease (CAD) patients show reduced circulating myeloid and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (DCs), a systemic effect of atherosclerosis. These lower dendritic cell counts are not due to medication or endothelial dysfunction.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Atherosclerosis Research

Background:

  • Previous research indicated a decline in circulating myeloid (m) and plasmacytoid (p) dendritic cells (DCs) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).
  • This study aimed to further investigate total blood DC numbers and their relationship with CAD severity and endothelial function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if the decline in circulating dendritic cells (DCs) in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients is associated with disease extent or type.
  • To explore the relationship between DC numbers, endothelial function, and medication use in CAD patients.

Main Methods:

  • Patients were categorized into control, stable one-vessel CAD, stable three-vessel CAD, and unstable one-vessel CAD groups.
  • Total blood DCs, myeloid DCs (mDCs), and plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) were quantified using specific markers (BDCA-1 for mDCs, BDCA-2 for pDCs).
  • Endothelial function was assessed via flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery.

Main Results:

  • Numbers of total DCs, mDCs, and pDCs were significantly lower in CAD patients compared to controls, irrespective of CAD severity or type.
  • Lower mDC counts were associated with increased interleukin-6 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein.
  • Increased mDCs were observed with impaired FMD and use of beta-blockers or lipid-lowering drugs, with additive effects noted.

Conclusions:

  • The reduction in circulating DCs in CAD is a systemic effect of atherosclerosis, not directly caused by medication or endothelial dysfunction.
  • Myeloid and plasmacytoid DCs appear to have distinct roles in inflammation during atherosclerosis, influenced differently by cytokines and treatments.
Abstract

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