title: [Changes of Foxp3(+); regulatory T cells in patients with acute coronary syndrome].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the changes of Foxp3(+); (including CD4(+);Foxp3(+); and CD4(+);CD25(+);Foxp3(+);) regulatory T cells (Tregs) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-four ACS patients, twenty patients with stable angina (SA) and twenty-four control patients were enrolled. The percentages of the peripheral Tregs, Foxp3 mRNA and plasma level of TGF-β1 were measured by flow cytometry, real-time quantitative PCR and ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The percentages of CD4(+);CD25(+);Foxp3(+); Tregs and CD4(+);Foxp3(+); Tregs, Foxp3 mRNA and plasma level of TGF-β1 significantly decreased in the ACS group as compared with those in the SA group and the controls (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in the percentage of CD4(+);CD25(+); Tregs among all three groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There are less Foxp3(+);Tregs, perhaps with impaired function, in ACS patients, which might contribute to plaque destabilization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Medical School of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China.
authors.forename: Zhao
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Yin-zhi
authors.initials: YZ
authors.lastname: Qi
authors.forename: Zu-yi
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Man-li
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Yu-qiang
authors.initials: YQ
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.forename: Xiao-bo
authors.initials: XB
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D054058:Acute Coronary Syndrome / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: C418974:FOXP3 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1