Increased Th17 cell frequency concomitant with decreased Foxp3+ Treg cell frequency in the peripheral circulation of patients with carotid artery plaques.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated a possible imbalance between T helper (Th)17 and CD4+ CD25+ forkhead/winged helix transcription factor (Foxp3) T regulatory (Treg) cells in patients with carotid artery plaques.


METHODS
From November 2009 to September 2010, we enrolled 126 males and 104 females with mean age 68.24 ± 6.71 years.


METHODS
Based on carotid artery sonography, the 230 subjects were categorized into three groups: plaque negative; stable plaques; and unstable plaques.


METHODS
Th17 and Treg cell frequencies, relevant plasma cytokines (IL-17, IL-6, IL-23, and TNF-α), and RORγt mRNA levels were determined.


RESULTS
Compared to plaque negative, Th17 cells, Th17-related cytokines (IL-17, IL-6, IL-23, and TNF-α), and RORγt mRNA levels were higher with stable plaques, and highest with unstable plaques. The opposite trend was found for Treg cells, Treg-related cytokines (IL-10 and TGF-β1), and Foxp3 mRNA. Th17 cell frequencies were significantly negatively correlated with Treg cell frequencies.


CONCLUSIONS
Our investigation demonstrated that there is a Th17/Treg functional imbalance in patients with unstable carotid atherosclerotic plaques. Th17 cells may promote atherogenesis, while Treg cells may have a protective role against atherosclerosis plaques. An imbalance of Th17/Treg cells may offer a new direction for the treatment of atherosclerosis.
Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China.
Zhen-dong
ZD
Liu
Lin
L
Wang
Fang-hong
FH
Lu
Hui
H
Pan
Ying-xin
YX
Zhao
Shu-jian
SJ
Wang
Shang-wen
SW
Sun
Cui-ling
CL
Li
Xiao-liang
XL
Hu
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018932:Chemokine CCL2 / Q000235:genetics; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000166:cytology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D057132:Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3 / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*; D058504:Th17 Cells / Q000276:immunology*
C111835:CCL2 protein, human; D018932:Chemokine CCL2; D016207:Cytokines; C418974:FOXP3 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D057132:Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C539900:RORC protein, human