Cytokine profiles and T cell function in acute coronary syndromes.
OBJECTIVE
In advanced human atherosclerotic plaques infiltrating T cells congregate at sites of plaque rupture. However, little is known about the systemic activation of circulating T cells in acute coronary syndromes as a prerequisite for recruitment to atherosclerotic lesions.


RESULTS
As a measure for specific lymphocyte activation we analyzed IFN-gamma production of T cells after stimulation with a superantigen and expression of CXCR-3 and CCR-3 in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), unstable angina (uAP) or stable angina (sAP). Furthermore, concentrations of the circulating cytokines interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, IL-1beta, IL-12 p70 and RANTES that modify T cell function were measured. In uAP an increased Th1 and a decreased Th2 response was identified by enhanced interferon-gamma generation of T lymphocytes, increased levels of IL-1beta, IL-12 p70 and RANTES and decreased expression of CCR3. In AMI a systemic inflammatory reaction predominates with enhanced expression of the early activation marker CD69 on T lymphocytes and elevated levels of IL-6 and IL-10 that suppress Th1 activation.


CONCLUSIONS
Interferon-gamma production of activated T cells in acute coronary syndromes may, therefore, be governed by the release of specific pro- and anti-lymphocyte activating cytokines.
Deutsches Herzzentrum and 1 Medizinische Klinik der Technischen Universität München, Munich, Germany. birgitsteppich@yahoo.de
Birgit A
BA
Steppich
Philipp
P
Moog
Christoph
C
Matissek
Nicola
N
Wisniowski
Jan
J
Kühle
Nader
N
Joghetaei
Franz-Josef
FJ
Neumann
Albert
A
Schomig
Ilka
I
Ott
D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D000789:Angina, Unstable / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D018946:Chemokine CCL5 / Q000097:blood; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007378:Interleukins / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D018946:Chemokine CCL5; D016207:Cytokines; D007378:Interleukins