During the last two decades, a new perspective on atherosclerosis has prevailed based on accumulating evidence on the role of inflammatory and immune-competent cells, such as monocytes and T-lymphocytes, in contributing to the development of this disease. It is now generally accepted that a specific T-cell response is crucial in determining not only the development and growth of the atherosclerotic lesion, but also its fate toward a stable or an unstable pattern of evolution (i.e., rupture or ulceration), eventually leading to the clinical occurrence of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). We found that transcoronary IL-17 levels tended to be higher in ACS patients as compared to patients with Stable Angina. We observed a bimodal distribution of IL-17 transcoronary gradients, with 10 out of 23 patients showing elevated IL-17 transcoronary gradients. The ACS patients with elevated transcoronary IL-17 levels, showed also a significant increase in the percentage of Th-17 lymphocytes when samples from the coronary sinus were compared to the ones obtained from the Aorta Finally, patients with a Δ% transcoronary IL-17 gradient > 10 showed troponin I (Tn I) levels at admission significantly higher as compared to the levels measured in the patient population with a Δ% transcoronary IL-17 gradient < 10. Intriguingly, a significant correlation between ∆% transcoronary IL-17 levels and Tn I levels at admission was found only in patients with ∆% transcoronary IL-17 levels > 10 while no correlation was found in the other ACS patients. Our findings highlight that expansion of Th-17 lymphocytes, with the consequent increase in transcoronary IL-17 gradient, might have an important pathophysiological role in a subset of patients with ACS. In addition, data about relationship existing between IL-17 and troponin levels, indicate that this subset of patients presents with a more severe disease and suggest that they may possibly have a poorer prognosis.
Transcoronary Th-17 lymphocytes and acute coronary syndromes: new evidence from the crime scene? / Cirillo, Plinio; Golino, P; Piscione, Federico; Cimmino, G; Petrillo, G; Abbate, G; De Palma, R.. - In: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY. - ISSN 0167-5273. - 153:2(2011), pp. 215-216. [10.1016/j.ijcard.2011.09.063]
Transcoronary Th-17 lymphocytes and acute coronary syndromes: new evidence from the crime scene?
CIRILLO, PLINIO;PISCIONE, FEDERICO;
2011
Abstract
During the last two decades, a new perspective on atherosclerosis has prevailed based on accumulating evidence on the role of inflammatory and immune-competent cells, such as monocytes and T-lymphocytes, in contributing to the development of this disease. It is now generally accepted that a specific T-cell response is crucial in determining not only the development and growth of the atherosclerotic lesion, but also its fate toward a stable or an unstable pattern of evolution (i.e., rupture or ulceration), eventually leading to the clinical occurrence of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). We found that transcoronary IL-17 levels tended to be higher in ACS patients as compared to patients with Stable Angina. We observed a bimodal distribution of IL-17 transcoronary gradients, with 10 out of 23 patients showing elevated IL-17 transcoronary gradients. The ACS patients with elevated transcoronary IL-17 levels, showed also a significant increase in the percentage of Th-17 lymphocytes when samples from the coronary sinus were compared to the ones obtained from the Aorta Finally, patients with a Δ% transcoronary IL-17 gradient > 10 showed troponin I (Tn I) levels at admission significantly higher as compared to the levels measured in the patient population with a Δ% transcoronary IL-17 gradient < 10. Intriguingly, a significant correlation between ∆% transcoronary IL-17 levels and Tn I levels at admission was found only in patients with ∆% transcoronary IL-17 levels > 10 while no correlation was found in the other ACS patients. Our findings highlight that expansion of Th-17 lymphocytes, with the consequent increase in transcoronary IL-17 gradient, might have an important pathophysiological role in a subset of patients with ACS. In addition, data about relationship existing between IL-17 and troponin levels, indicate that this subset of patients presents with a more severe disease and suggest that they may possibly have a poorer prognosis.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
