title: Association of monocyte subsets with vulnerability characteristics of coronary plaques as assessed by 64-slice multidetector computed tomography in patients with stable angina pectoris.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to examine the relation between monocyte subsets and the presence, extent, and vulnerability characteristics of non-calcified coronary plaques (NCPs) as assessed by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT).
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 73 patients with stable angina pectoris who underwent MDCT. Two monocyte subsets (CD14(+)CD16(-) and CD14(+)CD16(+)) were measured by flow cytometry. Coronary artery plaques were assessed by 64-slice MDCT. We defined NCP vulnerability according to the presence of positive remodeling (remodeling index>1.05) and/or low CT attenuation plaques (<35 HU).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 40 (55%) patients had identifiable vulnerable plaques. The relative proportion of CD14(+)CD16(+) monocytes was significantly greater in patients with 1 or multiple vulnerable plaques than in patients with no vulnerable plaques or control (healthy) subjects. In addition, the relative proportion of CD14(+)CD16(+) monocytes was positively correlated with remodeling index (r=0.40, P<0.01) and negatively correlated with CT attenuation value (r=-0.34, P<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present results suggest that an increased subset of CD14(+)CD16(+) monocytes is related to coronary plaque vulnerability in patients with stable angina pectoris.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, 811-1, Kimiidera, Wakayama City, Wakayama 641-8510, Japan.
authors.forename: Manabu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kashiwagi
authors.forename: Toshio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Imanishi
authors.forename: Hiroto
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tsujioka
authors.forename: Hideyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ikejima
authors.forename: Akio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kuroi
authors.forename: Yuichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ozaki
authors.forename: Kohei
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ishibashi
authors.forename: Kenichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Komukai
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tanimoto
authors.forename: Yasushi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ino
authors.forename: Hironori
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kitabata
authors.forename: Kumiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hirata
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Akasaka
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000276:immunology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D058851:GPI-Linked Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007564:Japan; D016014:Linear Models; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D010641:Phenotype; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D017452:Receptors, IgG / Q000032:analysis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C428200:FCGR3B protein, human; D058851:GPI-Linked Proteins; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors; D017452:Receptors, IgG