Increased peripheral proinflammatory T helper subsets contribute to cardiovascular complications in diabetic patients

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Cardiology
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Coronary atherosclerotic heart disease (CHD) is a significant concern for individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D).
• Systemic chronic inflammation is hypothesized to link T2D and increased cardiovascular disease risk.
• Increased peripheral proinflammatory T helper cell subsets may contribute to cardiovascular complications in diabetic patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between peripheral proinflammatory T helper cell subsets and coronary atherosclerotic heart disease (CHD) in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients.
• To determine if specific T helper cell subsets are independent risk factors for cardiovascular complications in diabetes.

Main Methods:

• Flow cytometry was used to quantify peripheral CD4+ T helper cells, including Th1, Th17, and Th22 subsets.
• Analysis was performed on diabetic patients with and without CHD (n=42 and n=67, respectively).
• Statistical analyses included logistic regression and cross-table analysis.

Main Results:

• Diabetic patients with CHD exhibited higher frequencies and numbers of Th1, Th17, and Th22 cells compared to those without CHD.
• Increased proinflammatory T helper subsets, especially Th22, were identified as independent risk factors for cardiovascular complications in diabetes.
• Elevated Th subsets correlated with increased C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and the atherogenic index of plasma.
• Th1 frequency and Th22 numbers showed potential in predicting CHD in diabetic individuals.

Conclusions:

• Elevated peripheral proinflammatory T helper subsets contribute synergistically to the high prevalence of diabetic cardiovasculopathy.
• Th22 cells may play an independent role in CHD development and serve as a novel indicator of cardiovascular risk in diabetes.