Expansion of T-cell receptor zeta dim effector T cells in acute coronary syndromes.
OBJECTIVE
The T-cell receptor zeta (TCR zeta)-chain is a master sensor and regulator of lymphocyte responses. Loss of TCR zeta-chain expression has been documented during infectious and inflammatory diseases and defines a population of effector T cells (TCR zeta(dim) T cells) that migrate to inflamed tissues. We assessed the expression and functional correlates of circulating TCR zeta(dim) T cells in coronary artery disease.


RESULTS
We examined the expression of TCR zeta-chain by flow cytometry in 140 subjects. Increased peripheral blood CD4(+) TCR zeta(dim) T cells were found in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS, n=66; median 5.3%, interquartile 2.6 to 9.1% of total CD4(+) T cells; P<0.0001) compared to chronic stable angina (CSA, n=32; 1.6%; 1.0 to 4.1%) and controls (n=42; 1.5%; 0.5 to 2.9%). Such increase was significantly greater in ACS patients with elevated levels of C-reactive protein, and it persisted after the acute event. Moreover, TCR zeta(dim) cells were also more represented within CD8(+) T cell, NK, and CD4(+)CD28(null) T cell subsets in ACS compared to CSA and controls. Finally, CD4(+) and CD8(+) TCR zeta(dim) T cells isolated from ACS displayed an enhanced transendothelial migratory capacity.


CONCLUSIONS
TCR zeta(dim) T cells, an effector T-cell subset with transendothelial migratory ability, are increased in ACS, and may be implicated in coronary instability.
Ammirati
Enrico
E
Clinical Cardiovascular Biology Research Centre, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University and San Raffaele Scientific Institute, via Olgettina 58, 20132 Milan, Italy. ammirati.enrico@hsr.it
Vermi
Anna-Chiara
AC
Cianflone
Domenico
D
Banfi
Michela
M
Foglieni
Chiara
C
Godino
Cosmo
C
Airoldi
Flavio
F
Ferri
Luca A
LA
Gorman
Claire L
CL
Manfredi
Angelo A
AA
Maseri
Attilio
A
Cope
Andrew P
AP
Monaco
Claudia
C
D054058:Acute Coronary Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000276:immunology; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000378:metabolism*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*
D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; C054979:antigen T cell receptor, zeta chain; D002097:C-Reactive Protein