title: Persistent accumulation of interferon-γ-producing CD8+CD56+ T cells in blood from patients with coronary artery disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is emerging evidence for CD8(+) T cell alterations in blood from patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). We examined whether the distribution and phenotype of CD8(+)CD56(+) T cells differed according to the clinical manifestation of CAD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS, n = 30), stable angina (SA, n = 34) and controls (n = 36) were included. Blood was collected before and up to 12 months after referral for coronary investigation. CD8(+)CD56(+) T cells were assessed by flow cytometry for expression of surface markers, apoptosis, and intracellular expression of cytokines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The proportions of CD8(+)CD56(+) T cells were significantly higher in both ACS and SA patients compared with controls, and remained so after 3 and 12 months. This was independent of age, sex, systemic inflammation and cytomegalovirus seropositivity. CD8(+)CD56(+) T cells differed from CD8(+)CD56(-) T cells in terms of lower CD28 expression and fewer apoptotic cells. Both CD8(+) T cell subsets were positive for interferon (IFN)-γ and tumor necrosis factor, although IFN-γ was significantly more confined to the CD8(+)CD56(+) T cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The persistent accumulation of CD8(+)CD56(+) T cells in ACS and SA patients share several features with immunological aging. It also contributes to a larger IFN-γ(+) pool in blood, and may thereby hypothetically drive the atherosclerotic process in a less favorable direction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, SE-58185 Linköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Ida
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bergström
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Backteman
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lundberg
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ernerudh
authors.forename: Lena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jonasson
mesh_terms: D054058:Acute Coronary Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D000368:Aged; D060050:Angina, Stable / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D018106:CD28 Antigens / Q000097:blood; D019002:CD56 Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping / Q000379:methods; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood*; D059425:Interferon-gamma Release Tests; D019409:Interleukin-15 / Q000097:blood; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D013997:Time Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D018106:CD28 Antigens; D019002:CD56 Antigen; C569274:IL15 protein, human; C508600:IL6 protein, human; D019409:Interleukin-15; D015850:Interleukin-6; C522918:NCAM1 protein, human; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D002097:C-Reactive Protein