T helper cell polarization in healthy people: implications for cardiovascular disease.
Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by T lymphocyte infiltration into the atherosclerotic plaque. Assessments of T cell subtypes have demonstrated a predominance of CD4(+) T helper (Th) cells, implicated Th1 and Th17 immunity in both human and mouse atherogenesis, and provided some evidence suggesting protective roles of Th2 and T regulatory cells. Observations that certain inbred mouse strains have an inherent T helper bias suggest a genetic predisposition toward developing a particular T helper phenotype. This review summarizes our current understanding of mechanisms of antigen processing for major histocompatibility complex molecules, describes the different T helper cell subsets and their roles in atherosclerosis, and discusses mechanisms of genetic predisposition toward Th1/Th2 bias in mice. We also present data from our laboratory demonstrating inherent Th1/Th2 phenotypes in apparently healthy human volunteers that are stable over time and discuss the potential implications for cardiovascular disease.
Department of Pathology, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT, USA, Nels.Olson@uvm.edu.
Nels C
NC
Olson
Reem
R
Sallam
Margaret F
MF
Doyle
Russell P
RP
Tracy
Sally A
SA
Huber
D056704:Adaptive Immunity / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D010641:Phenotype; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D058504:Th17 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology
D015415:Biomarkers