Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2025
Author Spotlight: Integrated Multi-Omics Analysis for Unveiling Multicellular Immune Signatures in Clinical Heart Attack Cohorts
Published on: September 20, 2024
Causal roles of immune cells in cardiovascular diseases: A Mendelian randomization (MR) study
Virak Vicheth1, Chongbin Zhong1, Junjie Guan1
1Department of Cardiology, Laboratory of Heart Center, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
Insights
This study reveals key immune cell connections to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Certain T-cell and B-cell phenotypes may protect against CVD, while others increase risk, offering new insights into disease mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Genetics
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a leading cause of mortality globally, yet their underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood.
- Investigating the role of circulating activated immune cells may elucidate pathological pathways in CVD development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential causal links between various immune cell phenotypes and the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
- To identify specific immune signatures associated with either protection or increased risk of CVD.
Main Methods:
- A two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis was conducted using publicly available genetic data.
- Examined 731 immune phenotypes, including relative cell counts, absolute cell counts, morphological parameters, and median fluorescence intensities.
- Sensitivity analyses were performed to ensure the robustness and reliability of the findings.
Main Results:
- Identified significant associations between specific immunophenotypes and CVD risk.
- Activated and secretory CD4+ regulatory T-cells (Tregs) showed a protective effect (OR: 0.757).
- Increased CVD risk was associated with CD80 on myeloid dendritic cells (OR: 1.181) and specific proportions of CD8+ T-cells.
Conclusions:
- Specific immune cell phenotypes are significantly correlated with cardiovascular disease risk.
- Findings provide novel perspectives for future clinical research into CVD pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets.
Background:
Despite being a major global cause of mortality, the exact underlying mechanisms of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain uncertain. This study aimed to elucidate the possible pathological connection between circulating activated immune cell types and the advancement of CVD.
Methods:
A two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis was performed on publicly available genetic databases to examine the potential causal relationships among 731 immune phenotypes and CVD risks. The study focused on four distinct immune signatures: relative cell counts (RC), absolute cell counts (AC), morphological parameters (MP), and median fluorescence intensities (MFI). A sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the findings' consistency, robustness, and potential pleiotropic effects.
Results:
Significant associations between CVD and various immunophenotypes were observed in this study. Specifically, two phenotypes exhibited protective effects against CVD. The odds ratio (OR) for activated and secretory CD4+ regulatory T-cells (Tregs) was 0.757 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.628-0.913; p = 0.004], whereas that for B-cell activating factor receptor on IgD-CD38+ memory B-cells was 0.654 (95% CI: 0.468-0.915; p = 0.013). Conversely, three major immunophenotypes were linked to heightened risks of CVD: CD80 on myeloid dendritic cells (OR: 1.181; 95% CI: 1.015-1.376; p = 0.032), the proportion of CD28+ CD45RA+ CD8+ T-cells in total T-cell population (OR: 1.064; 95% CI: 1.002-1.128; p = 0.041), and the proportion of CD28-CD45RA+ CD8+ T-cells in total T-cell population (OR: 1.005; 95% CI: 1.000-1.011; p = 0.045).
Conclusion:
This study underscores significant correlations between specific immune phenotypes and the risks associated with CVD onset, thus providing valuable perspectives for forthcoming clinical inquiries.
