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Interleukin-1 beta in coronary arteries of patients with ischemic heart disease
J Galea1, J Armstrong, P Gadsdon
1Sections of Cardiac Surgery, University of Sheffield, UK.
Insights
Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) is elevated in the adventitia of atherosclerotic coronary arteries, correlating with disease severity. This inflammatory cytokine is produced by endothelial cells and macrophages in ischemic heart arteries.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Immunology
- Pathology
Background:
- Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) influences coronary artery cell function.
- IL-1 beta's role in coronary atherosclerosis and cardiomyopathy requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the location and cell types expressing IL-1 beta in human coronary arteries.
- To correlate IL-1 beta levels with the severity of coronary atherosclerosis.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was used to detect IL-1 beta protein and specific cell markers (endothelial cells, macrophages).
- In situ hybridization identified IL-1 beta mRNA localization within coronary artery walls.
Main Results:
- IL-1 beta protein was significantly increased in adventitial vessel walls of atherosclerotic arteries compared to non-ischemic cardiomyopathic arteries.
- Increased IL-1 beta levels were directly proportional to coronary atherosclerosis severity.
- IL-1 beta protein and mRNA were found in luminal endothelium, adventitial vessel cells, and macrophages.
Conclusions:
- IL-1 beta is produced by endothelial cells and macrophages in human coronary arteries.
- IL-1 beta production is elevated in arteries from ischemic hearts, particularly in atherosclerotic conditions.
- IL-1 beta expression correlates with coronary atherosclerosis severity.
Abstract:
Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) is known to have a number of effects on the different cell types present within coronary arteries. In this study we identified the location and phenotype of cells containing IL-1 beta in human coronary artery specimens from patients suffering from either coronary atherosclerosis or cardiomyopathy and correlated the presence of IL-1 beta with disease severity. Luminal endothelial cells, adventitial vessel wall cells, and macrophages were double labeled immunohistochemically for IL-1 beta protein and a cell type-specific monoclonal antibody for either endothelial cells or macrophages. In situ hybridization was performed to locate the presence of IL-1 beta mRNA within the coronary artery wall. In this study IL-1 beta protein was found to be increased in the adventitial vessel walls of atherosclerotic coronary arteries compared with coronary arteries from nonischemic cardiomyopathic hearts. This increase was directly proportional to the severity of coronary atherosclerosis. IL-1 beta protein was also detected in luminal endothelium and macrophages of atherosclerotic coronary arteries and coronary arteries from nonischemic cardiomyopathic hearts. IL-1 beta mRNA was found in luminal endothelial cells, adventitial vessel endothelial cells, and macrophages. We conclude that IL-1 beta is produced by endothelial cells and macrophages in coronary arteries from ischemic hearts and to a lesser extent from nonischemic cardiomyopathic hearts.