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Published on: January 28, 2020
A decrease in the percentage of circulating mDC precursors in patients with coronary heart disease: a relation to the
Jin Wen1, Yan Wen, Li Zhiliang
1Cardiovascular Department, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Haizhu Area, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Insights
Reduced circulating myeloid dendritic cell (mDC) precursors correlate with coronary artery disease severity. This finding highlights mDC precursors as potential biomarkers for coronary heart disease progression and inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Immunology
- Atherosclerosis Research
Background:
- Inflammation is central to coronary heart disease (CHD).
- Dendritic cells (DCs), including myeloid DCs (mDCs) and plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs), are key immune cells involved in inflammation and atherosclerosis.
- Circulating DC precursors in CHD are not fully understood, especially their relation to lesion severity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the levels of circulating myeloid dendritic cell (mDC) and plasmacytoid dendritic cell (pDC) precursors in patients with varying degrees of coronary artery disease.
- To assess the correlation between these DC precursors, coronary artery lesion severity (Gensini score), and inflammatory markers (MCP-1, MMP-9).
Main Methods:
- Recruited controls and patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP), unstable angina pectoris (UAP), and acute myocardial infarction (AMI).
- Quantified circulating mDC and pDC precursors using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS).
- Measured plasma levels of MCP-1 and MMP-9 and determined coronary artery lesion severity via Gensini score.
Main Results:
- Percentage of circulating mDC precursors was significantly reduced in AMI and UAP patients compared to controls and SAP patients.
- No significant change was observed in circulating pDC precursors.
- Plasma levels of MMP-9, MCP-1, and Gensini scores were elevated in AMI and UAP patients.
- Circulating mDC precursor percentage showed a negative correlation with MCP-1, MMP-9, and Gensini scores.
Conclusions:
- Reduced circulating mDC precursors are associated with increased coronary artery lesion severity and inflammation in CHD patients.
- mDC precursors may serve as a potential biomarker for CHD severity and progression.
- Further research is warranted to explore the precise role of mDC precursors in atherogenesis.
Abstract:
Inflammation plays a pivotal role in coronary heart disease. Dendritic cells (DCs) are principal players in inflammation and atherosclerosis. Although the percentage of circulating DC precursors in coronary heart disease have been investigated, circulating myeloid DC (mDC) and plasmacytoid DC (pDC) precursors have not been extensively studied, particularly in relation to the severity of coronary artery lesions in patients with coronary heart disease. In this study, we recruited controls (n = 29), patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP, n = 30), patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP, n = 56), and patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI, n = 50). The severity and extent of coronary artery lesions was evaluated by Gensini score, following coronary angiograms. The percentage of circulating mDC and pDC precursors was determined by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Plasma levels of MCP-1 and MMP-9, which correlate with atherosclerosis and DC migration, were also measured. The percentage of circulating mDC precursors was reduced in patients with AMI and UAP compared with control and SAP patients, respectively (p < 0.01 for AMI vs. SAP and Control, p < 0.05 for UAP vs. SAP and Control). The percentage of circulating pDC precursors was not significant changed. The levels of plasma MMP-9 and MCP-1 and Genisi score were all increased in patients with AMI and UAP, compared to control and SAP patients, respectively (p < 0.01 for AMI vs. SAP and control, p < 0.05 for UAP vs. SAP and control). Overall, the percentage of circulating mDC precursors was negatively correlated with MCP-1 (p < 0.001), MMP-9 (p < 0.001) and Genisi scores (p < 0.001). Genisi scores were positively correlated with the levels of MCP-1 (p < 0.001) and MMP-9 (p < 0.001). Our study suggested that the percentage of circulating mDC precursors is negatively correlated with the severity and extent of coronary artery lesions in patients with coronary heart disease.
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