title: Plasma levels of interleukin 2, 6, 10 and phenotypic characterization of circulating T lymphocytes in ischemic heart disease.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to assess lymphocyte receptors expression in patients with ischemic heart diseases, as well as to measure the plasma levels of interleukin (IL) 2, 6 and 10. T Lymphocytes are found in large numbers in human atherosclerotic plaques, indicating that immune and inflammatory mechanisms are important factors in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Recent data have also implicated T lymphocytes in the pathogenetic mechanism of unstable angina and ischemic heart disease. Three groups of patients were studied: 42 with an acute ischemic syndrome (AIS), 36 with stable angina (SA) and 39 healthy controls. To characterize lymphocyte phenotype, flow cytometry was performed in whole-blood samples. IL-2, IL-6 and IL-10 were measured using the ELISA method. Double fluorescence evaluation showed an increase in CD8+/CD11b+ cells (cytotoxic T lymphocytes) and in CD11b+/CD16+CD56+ cells (NK lymphocytes) in the AIS group and in SA group as compared to the control group (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). IL-2 was increased in the AIS and SA groups compared to the control group (AIS 4.5 +/- 0.5 pg/ml; SA 6.3 +/- 0.6 pg/ml; controls 2.4 +/- 0.8 pg/ml, P < 0.05), whereas IL-6 was higher in the AIS group than in the other two groups (AIS 10.8 +/- 1.8 pg/ml; SA 1.8 +/- 0.8 pg/ml; controls 1.2 +/- 0.6 pg/ml, P < 0.0001). These data show that patients with ischemic heart disease have an increase in circulating cytotoxic T lymphocytes and in IL-2 plasma levels, irrespective of their clinical presentation, compared to normal control subjects, whereas IL-6 is elevated only in patients with AIS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, IRCCS S. Matteo Hospital, Italy. a.mazzone@smatteo.pv.it
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mazzone
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Servi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vezzoli
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fossati
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mazzucchelli
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gritti
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ottini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mussini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Specchia
mesh_terms: D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000097:blood*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000097:blood*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D008875:Middle Aged; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification*
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D015415:Biomarkers; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D007376:Interleukin-2; D015850:Interleukin-6; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D016753:Interleukin-10