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Published on: February 7, 2015
[Correlation between peripheral blood Th17 cells and carotid intima-media thickness in OSA patients]
Nana Zhang1, Yanni Li1, Bennong Li1
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery，the Puai Hospital，Tongji Medical College，Huazhong University of Science and Technology，Wuhan，430034，China.
Insights
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is linked to increased Th17 cells and RORγt mRNA, which correlate with higher carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), suggesting a role in atherosclerosis development.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Sleep Medicine
Background:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent sleep disorder associated with cardiovascular complications.
- Atherosclerosis, a key contributor to cardiovascular disease, is increasingly recognized in OSA patients.
- The role of specific immune cells, such as T helper 17 (Th17) cells, in OSA-related atherosclerosis requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the levels of Th17 cells and RORγt mRNA in patients with varying OSA severity.
- To assess carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) as a marker of atherosclerosis in OSA.
- To explore the correlation between Th17 cell activity and atherosclerosis indicators in OSA.
Main Methods:
- Sixty-two patients were categorized into normal control, mild OSA, and moderate-to-severe OSA groups based on the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI).
- Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) was measured using ultrasound.
- Peripheral blood Th17 cell proportions and RORγt mRNA expression were quantified via flow cytometry and real-time PCR, respectively.
Main Results:
- Carotid IMT significantly increased with OSA severity (moderate-to-severe group > mild group > control group, P<0.01).
- Th17 cell proportions and RORγt mRNA levels were significantly elevated in moderate-to-severe OSA patients compared to milder forms and controls (P<0.01).
- Both Th17 cell proportion and RORγt mRNA expression showed a strong positive correlation with carotid IMT (r=0.80 and r=0.78, respectively, P<0.01).
Conclusions:
- Th17 cell differentiation and RORγt expression are upregulated in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.
- These immune markers are significantly associated with the progression of atherosclerosis in OSA patients.
- Th17 cells are implicated as a potential contributing factor in the development of atherosclerosis within the context of OSA.
Abstract:
Objective:To study the carotid intima-media thickness （IMT） level of OSA patients of different severity, the proportion of Th17 cells in peripheral blood and the mRNA level of nuclear transfer factor RORγt, and to explore the relationship between Th17 cells and atherosclerosis in OSA patients. Method:Sixty-two patients who underwent respiratory and sleep monitoring were selected and divided into three groups according to the AHI index: 15 patients in the normal control group（AHI<5）, there were 22 cases in the mild group（AHI 5-15） and 25 cases in the moderate and severe group（AHI≥15）. Carotid intima-media thickness（IMT） was measured in all subjects, the ratio of Th17 cells in peripheral blood monouelear cells（PBMC） were analysed by flow cytometry. The expression of RORγt mRNA were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Result:The carotid IMT of patients in the normal control group, the mild OSA group and the moderate to severe OSA group were （0.74±0.21） mm, （1.09±0.23） mm and （1.60±0.30） mm, respectively. The moderate to severe group was higher than the mild group and the normal control group, the difference was statistically significant （P<0.01）. The proportion of Th17 in peripheral blood of the three groups was（2.54±0.20）%, （4.34±0.30）%, and （8.27±0.31）%, respectively. The moderate to severe group was significantly higher than the mild group and the control group （P<0.01）, the difference was statistically significant. The relative mRNA expression levels of RORγt in the three groups were 0.92±0.24, 2.60±0.59, and 4.93±0.72, respectively. The moderate to severe group was significantly higher than the mild group and the control group （P<0.01）, the difference was statistically significant. The proportion of Th17 in peripheral blood and the relative expression of RORvt mRNA were positively correlated with the carotid IMT （r value was 0.80, 0.78, respectively, all P<0.01）. Conclusion:Th17 cells differentiation is increased in OSA patients, and Th17 cells are correlated with indicators reflecting the progression of atherosclerosis. Th17 cells may be involved in the development of atherosclerosis in OSA patients.
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