Association of monocyte subsets with vulnerability characteristics of coronary plaques as assessed by 64-slice multidetector computed tomography in patients with stable angina pectoris.
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.
Kashiwagi
Manabu
M
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, 811-1, Kimiidera, Wakayama City, Wakayama 641-8510, Japan.
Imanishi
Toshio
T
Tsujioka
Hiroto
H
Ikejima
Hideyuki
H
Kuroi
Akio
A
Ozaki
Yuichi
Y
Ishibashi
Kohei
K
Komukai
Kenichi
K
Tanimoto
Takashi
T
Ino
Yasushi
Y
Kitabata
Hironori
H
Hirata
Kumiko
K
Akasaka
Takashi
T
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
D015415:Biomarkers; C428200:FCGR3B protein, human; D058851:GPI-Linked Proteins; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors; D017452:Receptors, IgG