The Increased TIGIT-Expressing CD3⁺CD56⁺ Cells Are Associated with Coronary Artery Disease and Its Inflammatory...

We aimed to examine the correlation of T-cell immunoglobulin and ITIM domain (TIGIT)-expressing CD3 + CD56 + cells (TNKS) with coronary artery disease (CAD), atherosclerotic lesion progression, and inflammatory environment. A total of 199 subjects, including 98 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), 52 patients with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS), and 49 control subjects, were recruited in the study. The TIGIT-expressing TNKS were quantified by flow cytometric analysis; the severity of coronary artery lesions was evaluated by the Gensini score. Whole blood cells were stimulated with interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-7 (IL-7), and interleukin-15 (IL-15) in presence or absence of STAT, PI3K, and P38 MAPK inhibitors, respectively. The TIGIT-expressing TNKS was significantly increased in patients with CAD, ACS, and CCS compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The TIGIT-expressing TNKS were independent predictors of CAD, ACS and CCS (P < 0.05). The TIGIT-expressing TNKS were positively associated with Gensini score (P < 0.05). The TIGIT-expressing TNKS was positively correlated with age, and being male (P < 0.05). The inflammatory microenviroment with increased IL-2, IL-7, and IL-15 contributed to upregulation of TIGIT expression in TNKS. PI3K and P38 MAPK inhibitors could inhibit the upregulation of TIGIT expression in TNKS induced by IL-2, IL-7, and IL-15. The TIGIT-expressing TNKS may be involved in common pathogenesis of ACS and CCS, and atherosclerotic lesion progression. Meanwhile, the increased TIGIT-expressing TNKS might be associated with a proatherogenic microenvironment or inflammatory microenvironment. PI3K and P38 MAPK signaling pathways were involved in the regulation of TIGIT expression.