Loss of natural killer cell activity in patients with coronary artery disease.
BACKGROUND
Natural killer (NK) cells are important components of the innate immune system and have a potential role in the regulation of autoimmunity. In the present study, we evaluated the NK cells in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and related the findings to clinical and laboratory parameters of the disease.


RESULTS
We studied 45 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), 50 patients with stable angina and angiographically verified CAD (SA) and 50 healthy controls. The distribution of NK cell subsets was determined by flow cytometry and NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity was quantified ex vivo. Both ACS and SA patients had significantly reduced numbers of CD56(dim) NK cells compared with controls. The patients also exhibited a significant decrease in NK cell activity. The loss in NK cell function was not related to inflammatory activity or metabolic status.


CONCLUSIONS
Both stable and unstable conditions of CAD were associated with a redistribution of circulating lymphocytes, comprising a significant reduction of CD56(dim) NK cells and a concomitant loss of NK cell function. The findings suggest the presence of a persistent immune aberration in CAD patients independent of their clinical setting or systemic inflammatory state.
Department of Medicine and Care, Division of Cardiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, S-581 85 Linköping, Sweden. lena.jonasson@lio.se
Lena
L
Jonasson
Karin
K
Backteman
Jan
J
Ernerudh
D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000276:immunology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis
D015850:Interleukin-6; D002097:C-Reactive Protein