Circulating monocyte populations in patients with coronary atherosclerosis

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Science
• Immunology
• Aging Research

Background:

• Coronary atherosclerosis is a leading cause of mortality.
• Monocytes play a crucial role in atherosclerosis pathogenesis.
• Age is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the age-dependent phenotype of circulating monocytes in patients with coronary atherosclerosis.
• To determine if monocyte subtypes correlate with atherosclerosis severity in different age groups.

Main Methods:

• 121 patients with coronary atherosclerosis were analyzed.
• Patients were stratified by age (median 60.0 years) and atherosclerosis severity (angiography).
• Flow cytometry and direct immunofluorescence were used to analyze classical (CD14++CD16-), intermediate (CD14++CD16+), and non-classical (CD14+CD16+) monocytes.

Main Results:

• In patients >60 years, increased atherosclerosis severity was associated with a decreased number of classical monocytes.
• This association between atherosclerosis severity and classical monocyte count was not observed in patients <60 years.
• Monocyte subset distribution may differ based on age and disease severity.

Conclusions:

• The number of classical monocytes in circulation decreases with increasing atherosclerosis severity in older patients (>60 years).
• This age-specific relationship suggests that the contribution of monocyte subtypes to atherosclerosis development may vary with age.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise role of age-related monocyte changes in atherosclerosis.