Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2025
Quantification of Monocyte Chemotactic Activity In Vivo and Characterization of Blood Monocyte Derived Macrophages
Published on: August 12, 2019
Monocyte subsets and monocyte-related chemokines in Takayasu arteritis
Mariana Freitas de Aguiar1, Heron Torquato2,3, Bruno Ramos Salu4
1Rheumatology Division, Department of Medicine, Universidade Federal de São Paulo-Escola Paulista de Medicina, Rua dos Otonis, 863, São Paulo, SP, 04025-002, Brazil.
Insights
Takayasu arteritis (TAK) is linked to changes in monocyte subsets, with higher intermediate monocytes observed in patients. C-C chemokine ligand 22 (CCL22) shows the strongest association with active TAK disease.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- The pathogenesis of Takayasu arteritis (TAK), a form of large vessel vasculitis, remains poorly understood.
- Previous research has not investigated the role of monocytes or related chemokines in TAK.
- Monocytes are key immune cells involved in inflammation and vascular damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate monocyte subsets and monocyte-related chemokines in the peripheral blood of TAK patients compared to healthy controls (HC).
- To identify potential biomarkers associated with active TAK disease and treatment response.
Main Methods:
- Peripheral blood samples were collected from 32 TAK patients and 30 HC.
- Monocyte subsets (classical, intermediate, non-classical) were identified using flow cytometry.
- Serum levels of chemokines including CCL2, CCL3, CCL4, CCL5, CCL7, CXCL10, and CX3CL1 were measured.
Main Results:
- TAK patients exhibited higher intermediate monocyte counts compared to HC.
- Active disease in TAK was associated with increased classical and intermediate monocyte subsets.
- CCL22 levels were significantly higher in active TAK compared to remission, indicating a strong association with disease activity.
- Prednisone treatment reduced non-classical monocyte percentages, while glucocorticoids lowered CXCL10 levels.
Conclusions:
- Takayasu arteritis is characterized by distinct alterations in peripheral blood monocyte subsets.
- CCL22 emerges as a promising chemokine biomarker for active Takayasu arteritis.
- These findings contribute to a better understanding of TAK pathogenesis and may guide future diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Abstract:
The pathogenesis of Takayasu arteritis (TAK) is poorly understood and no previous studies have analyzed monocytes in TAK. This study evaluated monocyte subsets and monocyte-related chemokines in the peripheral blood of TAK patients and healthy controls (HC). Monocyte subsets were identified as classical (CD14+CD16-), intermediate (CD14+CD16dim), and non-classical (CD14dimCD16high) in the peripheral blood. The chemokines CCL (C-C chemokine ligand)2, CCL3, CCL4, CCL5, CCL7, CXCL (C-X-C motif ligand)10, and CX3CL (C-X3-C motif ligand)1 were measured in the sera. Thirty-two TAK patients and 30 HC were evaluated. Intermediate monocytes were higher in TAK than HC [25.0 cells ×106/L (16.7-52.0) vs. 17.2 cells ×106/L (9.2-25.3); p = 0.014]. Active disease was associated with monocytosis (p = 0.004), increased classical (p = 0.003), and intermediate (p < 0.001) subsets than HC. Prednisone reduced the percentage of non-classical monocytes (p = 0.011). TAK patients had lower CCL3 (p = 0.033) and CCL4 (p = 0.023) levels than HC, whereas CCL22 levels were higher in active TAK compared to the remission state (p = 0.008). Glucocorticoids were associated with lower CXCL10 levels (p = 0.012). In TAK, CCL4 correlated with total (Rho = 0.489; p = 0.005), classical and intermediate monocytes (Rho = 0.448; p = 0.010 and Rho = 0.412; p = 0.019). In conclusion, TAK is associated with altered counts of monocyte subsets in the peripheral blood compared to HC and CCL22 is the chemokine with the strongest association with active disease in TAK.
More Related Videos
09:41Quantification of Monocyte Transmigration and Foam Cell Formation from Individuals with Chronic Inflammatory Conditions
Published on: October 17, 2017
08:47Induction of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis in Mice and Evaluation of the Disease-dependent Distribution of Immune Cells in Various Tissues
Published on: May 8, 2016
