[Effects of atorvastatin on the function of dendritic cells in patients with unstable angina pectoris].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the function of dendritic cells (DC) in patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP) and the effects of atorvastatin on it.


METHODS
27 patients with UAP were divided into two groups treated respectively with regular pharmacotherapy and regular pharmacotherapy plus atorvastatin. PBMC from the UAP patients (before and 2 weeks after the treatment) and 11 healthy subjects were incubated and induced to mature DC in a completed medium containing GM-CSF and IL-4. Flow cytometric analysis was used to detect the expression of co-stimulating factor CD86 (B7-2) on DC. The stimulating capacity of DC was determined in allogenic mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR). ELISA was used to analyze the level of cytokines (IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-alpha) in the medium of MLR. Relationship of expression of CD86 to risk factors and blood CRP level was also analyzed.


RESULTS
When compared with normal group, CD86 on DC was much more expressed in UAP patients; the stimulating capacity of DC in MLR was higher; T lymphocytes in MLR secreted higher levels of pro-inflammation cytokines (IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha) and lower level of anti-inflammation cytokine (IL-10). Blood LDL-C before treatment was positively related to the expression of CD86. Atorvastatin inhibited the function of DC and lowered blood level of CRP and CD86, the levels of which were significantly positively correlated.


CONCLUSIONS
DC in UAP are activated, which may play an important role in initiating immune reaction in the plaque. LDL-C may be one of the activators of DC; inhibitory effect of atorvastatin on inflammation in UAP may be due to its inhibition on DC.
Department of Cardiology, Union Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China. lidazhuhp@sohu.com
Da-zhu
DZ
Li
Sharma
S
Ranjit
Qiu-tang
QT
Zeng
Yuan
Y
Tian
Yi-bai
YB
Feng
Xiang
X
Wang
Lin-sheng
LS
Cao
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000789:Angina, Unstable / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D051940:B7-2 Antigen; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D015703:Antigens, CD; D051940:B7-2 Antigen; C497964:CD86 protein, human; D016207:Cytokines; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D011758:Pyrroles; D000069059:Atorvastatin