title: Relationship between different subpopulations of circulating CD4+ T lymphocytes and microvascular or systemic oxidative stress in humans.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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, vascular injury and inflammation. However, no data are presently available in humans about possible relationships between T-lymphocyte subtypes and microvascular oxidative stress. Our objective was to investigate possible relationships between T-lymphocyte subtypes and systemic and microvascular oxidative stress in a population of normotensive subjects and hypertensive patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  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. A peripheral blood sample was obtained before surgery for assessment of T lymphocyte subpopulations by flow cytometry and circulating indices of oxidative stress.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant direct correlation was observed between Th1 lymphocytes and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production (mainly in microvessels). Additionally, significant inverse correlations were observed between ROS and total TREGs, or TREGs subtypes. Significant correlations were detected between circulating indices of oxidative stress/inflammation and indices of microvascular morphology/Th1 and Th17 lymphocytes. In addition, a significant inverse correlation was detected between TREGs in subcutaneous small vessels and C reactive protein.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data suggest that TREG lymphocytes may be protective against microvascular damage, probably because of their anti-oxidant properties, while Th1-Th17 lymphocytes seem to exert an opposite effect, confirming an involvement of adaptive immune system in microvascular damage.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Clinica Medica, University of Brescia , Brescia , Italy.
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: De Ciuceis
authors.affiliation: a Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Clinica Medica, University of Brescia , Brescia , Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Agabiti-Rosei
authors.affiliation: a Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Clinica Medica, University of Brescia , Brescia , Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rossini
authors.affiliation: b Chair of Rheumatology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences , University of Brescia , Brescia , Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Airò
authors.affiliation: b Chair of Rheumatology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences , University of Brescia , Brescia , Italy.
authors.forename: Mirko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scarsi
authors.affiliation: b Chair of Rheumatology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences , University of Brescia , Brescia , Italy.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tincani
authors.affiliation: c Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Clinica Chirurgica, University of Brescia , Brescia , Italy.
authors.forename: Guido Alberto Massimo
authors.initials: GAM
authors.lastname: Tiberio
authors.affiliation: b Chair of Rheumatology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences , University of Brescia , Brescia , Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Piantoni
authors.affiliation: a Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Clinica Medica, University of Brescia , Brescia , Italy.
authors.forename: Enzo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Porteri
authors.affiliation: c Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Clinica Chirurgica, University of Brescia , Brescia , Italy.
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Solaini
authors.affiliation: d Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Specialties and Public Health, Chair of Ophthalmology , University of Brescia , Brescia , Italy.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Duse
authors.affiliation: d Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Specialties and Public Health, Chair of Ophthalmology , University of Brescia , Brescia , Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Semeraro
authors.affiliation: a Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Clinica Medica, University of Brescia , Brescia , Italy.
authors.forename: Beatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Petroboni
authors.affiliation: a Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Clinica Medica, University of Brescia , Brescia , Italy.
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mori
authors.affiliation: a Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Clinica Medica, University of Brescia , Brescia , Italy.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Castellano
authors.affiliation: a Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Clinica Medica, University of Brescia , Brescia , Italy.
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gavazzi
authors.affiliation: a Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Clinica Medica, University of Brescia , Brescia , Italy.
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Agabiti-Rosei
authors.affiliation: a Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Clinica Medica, University of Brescia , Brescia , Italy.|e Division of Medicine , Istituto Clinico Città di Brescia , Brescia , Italy.
authors.forename: Damiano
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rizzoni
mesh_terms: D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Microcirculation; capillaries; immune system; lymphocytes; vascular biology