Evidence for antigen-driven T-cell response in unstable angina.
BACKGROUND
Activation of T cells and macrophages has been associated with unstable angina (UA), but whether this reflects specific immune responses remains unclear.


RESULTS
We analyzed the repertoire and the length of complementarity-determining region 3 of the T-cell receptor (TCR) beta-chain variable (BV) gene segments of activated lymphocytes in 23 patients with UA, 13 patients with chronic stable angina (CSA), and 6 normal control subjects. We also tested the proliferation of systemic T cells in response to autologous coronary plaque proteins, oxidized LDL, and Chlamydia pneumoniae as candidate antigens, in vitro. The activated T cell-TCRBV repertoire was perturbed in 13 (57%) of 23 UA patients versus 3 (23%) of 13 CSA patients (P=0.016) and was restricted to 6 (28%) of 21 expanded TCRBV families; all were significantly higher in UA than in CSA patients. At least one monotypic or oligotypic activated TCRBV population was found in 15 (65%) of 23 UA patients and in 3 (23%) of 13 CSA patients (P<0.001). Finally, T cells from UA patients, but not from CSA patients or normal control subjects, proliferated in response to autologous proteins from coronary culprit lesions and/or to oxidized LDL.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that the T-cell response observed in UA patients is antigen-driven and directed to antigens contained in the culprit coronary atherosclerotic plaques.
Caligiuri
G
G
Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.caligiu@bichat.inserm.fr
Paulsson
G
G
Nicoletti
A
A
Maseri
A
A
Hansson
G K
GK
D000789:Angina, Unstable / Q000276:immunology*; D000941:Antigens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000097:blood; D000939:Epitopes; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D000941:Antigens; D017252:CD3 Complex; D000939:Epitopes; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta