title: Relationship Between Different Subpopulations of Circulating CD4+ T-lymphocytes and Microvascular Structural Alterations in Humans.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Different components of the immune system, including innate and adaptive immunity (T-effector lymphocytes and T-regulatory lymphocytes-TREGs) may be involved in the development of hypertension. In addition, it was demonstrated in animal models that TREGs may prevent angiotensin II-induced hypertension and vascular injury/inflammation. However, no data are presently available in humans about possible relationships between T-lymphocyte subtypes and microvascular structural alterations.
  
  
  METHODS
  For this purpose, in the present study, we enrolled 24 normotensive subjects and 12 hypertensive patients undergoing an elective surgical intervention. No sign of local or systemic inflammation was present. All patients underwent a biopsy of subcutaneous fat during surgery. Subcutaneous small resistance arteries were dissected and mounted on a wire myograph and the media to lumen ratio (M/L) was calculated. In addition, retinal arteriolar structure was evaluated noninvasively by scanning laser Doppler flowmetry. Capillary density in the nailfold, dorsum of the finger, and forearm were evaluated by videomicroscopy. A peripheral blood sample was obtained before surgery for assessment of T-lymphocyte subpopulations by flow cytometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant negative correlations were observed between indices of microvascular structure (M/L of subcutaneous small arteries and wall to lumen ratio of retinal arterioles) and circulating TREG lymphocytes. A direct correlation was observed between M/L of subcutaneous small arteries and circulating Th17 lymphocytes. In addition, total capillary density was correlated with a TREG effector memory subpopulation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data suggest that some lymphocyte subpopulations may be related to microvascular remodeling, confirming previous animal data, and opening therapeutic possibilities.
authors.affiliation: Clinica Medica, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: De Ciuceis
authors.affiliation: Clinica Medica, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rossini
authors.affiliation: Clinica Chirurgica, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Airò
authors.affiliation: Clinica Chirurgica, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Mirko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scarsi
authors.affiliation: Clinica Chirurgica, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tincani
authors.affiliation: Institute of Rheumatology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Guido Alberto Massimo
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Tiberio
authors.affiliation: Clinica Chirurgica, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Piantoni
authors.affiliation: Clinica Medica, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Enzo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Porteri
authors.affiliation: Institute of Rheumatology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Solaini
authors.affiliation: Institute of Ophthalmology, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Duse
authors.affiliation: Institute of Ophthalmology, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Semeraro
authors.affiliation: Clinica Medica, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Beatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Petroboni
authors.affiliation: Clinica Medica, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mori
authors.affiliation: Clinica Medica, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Castellano
authors.affiliation: Clinica Medica, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gavazzi
authors.affiliation: Clinica Medica, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Agabiti Rosei
authors.affiliation: Clinica Medica, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Agabiti Rosei
authors.affiliation: Clinica Medica, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy; damiano.rizzoni@unibs.it.|Istituto Clinico Città di Brescia, Division of Medicine, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Damiano
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rizzoni
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D055806:Microvessels / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein
keywords: blood pressure; capillaries; hypertension; immune system; lymphocytes; microcirculation; vascular biology.