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Published on: October 17, 2017
Comparison of circulating dendritic cell and monocyte subsets at different stages of atherosclerosis: insights from
Jianhui Zhuang1, Yang Han2, Dachun Xu1
1Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Insights
Circulating Mon2 subsets, a type of monocyte, were elevated in patients with unstable angina and myocardial infarction. These Mon2 cells may indicate the severity of atherosclerotic plaque.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Atherosclerosis Research
Background:
- Specific circulating dendritic cell (DC) and monocyte patterns are linked to coronary artery disease.
- However, the characteristics of these immune cells in various stages of atherosclerosis are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the differences in circulating myeloid DCs (mDCs), plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs), and monocyte subsets among patients with different stages of atherosclerosis.
- To evaluate the potential of these subsets as biomarkers for atherosclerosis severity.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry was used to analyze circulating mDCs, pDCs, and monocyte subsets in 48 patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP) and 31 with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was employed to assess plaque characteristics in UAP patients.
Main Results:
- Proportions and counts of mDC2s (CD141+) were significantly lower in UAP and STEMI patients compared to controls.
- Monocyte subset 2 (Mon2) proportions and counts were significantly higher in UAP and STEMI patients.
- Higher Mon2 levels were observed in UAP patients with thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) compared to those without.
Conclusions:
- Circulating Mon2 subsets show potential as a biomarker for assessing atherosclerotic plaque severity.
- mDC2 levels may not be a reliable indicator of plaque vulnerability in this context.
Background:
While specific patterns of circulating dendritic cells (DCs) and monocytes are associated with the incidence of coronary artery disease, the characterization of circulating DC and monocyte subsets in patients with different stages of atherosclerosis remains unclear.
Methods:
Forty-eight patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP) diagnosed by angiography were enrolled. Likewise, 31 patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) were enrolled and confirmed with the presence of thrombosis by angiography. Plaque features of 48 UAP patients were evaluated at the culprit lesions by OCT. Circulating myeloid DCs (mDCs), plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) and monocyte subsets were analyzed using flow cytometry.
Results:
The proportions and absolute counts of mDC2s, which specifically express CD141 and possess the ability to activate CD8+ T lymphocytes, significantly decreased in patients with UAP and STEMI when compared with controls (0.08 × 104 ± 0.05 × 104/ml and 0.08 × 104 ± 0.06 × 104/ml vs. 0.11 × 104 ± 0.06 × 104/ml, p = 0.027). On the other hand, patients with UAP and STEMI had significantly higher proportions and counts of Mon2 subsets. In the OCT subgroup, patients with thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) had higher proportions and absolute number of Mon2 (11.96% ± 4.27% vs. 9.42% ± 4.05%, p = 0.034; 5.17 × 104/ml ± 1.92 × 104/ml vs. 3.53 × 104/ml ± 2.65 × 104/ml, p = 0.045) than those without TCFA. However, there was no remarkable difference in mDC2s between patients with and without TCFA.
Conclusions:
Circulating Mon2 appears to be a promising marker for the severity of atherosclerotic plaque.
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