title: Decreased regulatory T cells in vulnerable atherosclerotic lesions: imbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cells in atherosclerosis.
abstract: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the arterial wall in which presentation of autoantigens by dendritic cells (DCs) leads to the activation of T cells. Anti-inflammatory cells like Tregs counterbalance inflammation in atherogenesis. In our study, human carotid plaque specimens were classified as stable (14) and unstable (15) according to established morphological criteria. Vessel specimens (n = 12) without any signs of atherosclerosis were used as controls. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect different types of DCs (S100, fascin, CD83, CD209, CD304, and CD123), proinflammatory T cells (CD3, CD4, CD8, and CD161), and anti-inflammatory Tregs (FoxP3). The following results were observed: in unstable lesions, significantly higher numbers of proinflammatory cells like DCs, T helper cells, cytotoxic T cells, and natural killer cells were detected compared to stable plaques. Additionally, there was a significantly higher expression of HLA-DR and more T cell activation (CD25, CD69) in unstable lesions. On the contrary, unstable lesions contained significantly lower numbers of Tregs. Furthermore, a significant inverse correlation between myeloid DCs and Tregs was shown. These data suggest an increased inflammatory state in vulnerable plaques resulting from an imbalance of the frequency of local pro- and anti-inflammatory immune cells.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine I, Friedrich-Schiller-University, 07747 Jena, Germany.
authors: Ilonka
authors: I
authors: Rohm
authors: Department of Internal Medicine I, Friedrich-Schiller-University, 07747 Jena, Germany.
authors: Yevgeniya
authors: Y
authors: Atiskova
authors: Institute of Forensic Medicine, Friedrich-Schiller-University, 07743 Jena, Germany.
authors: Stefanie
authors: 0000-0001-5845-3780
authors: S
authors: Drobnik
authors: Department of Internal Medicine I, Friedrich-Schiller-University, 07747 Jena, Germany.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Fritzenwanger
authors: Department of Internal Medicine I, Friedrich-Schiller-University, 07747 Jena, Germany.
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Kretzschmar
authors: Department of Internal Medicine I, Friedrich-Schiller-University, 07747 Jena, Germany.
authors: Rudin
authors: R
authors: Pistulli
authors: Department of Vascular Surgery, Friedrich-Schiller-University, 07747 Jena, Germany.
authors: Jürgen
authors: J
authors: Zanow
authors: Department of Vascular Surgery, Thüringen Klinik Saalfeld, 07318 Saalfeld, Germany.
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Krönert
authors: Institute of Forensic Medicine, Friedrich-Schiller-University, 07743 Jena, Germany.
authors: Gita
authors: G
authors: Mall
authors: Department of Internal Medicine I, Friedrich-Schiller-University, 07747 Jena, Germany.
authors: Hans Reiner
authors: HR
authors: Figulla
authors: Department of Internal Medicine I, Friedrich-Schiller-University, 07747 Jena, Germany.
authors: Atilla
authors: A
authors: Yilmaz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008840:Microfilament Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000378:metabolism; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000378:metabolism; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D002352:Carrier Proteins; C418974:FOXP3 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D008840:Microfilament Proteins; C020324:fascin