脂肪源间充质干细胞治疗aGVHD分子机制的初步研究

目的初步探讨成人脂肪源间充质干细胞（adult adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells．AMSC）治疗急性移植物抗宿主病（acute graft-versus-host disease，aGVHD）的分子机制。方法3例行异基因造血干细胞移植术后发生aGVHD患者，以每公斤体质量2×10^6个细胞剂量静脉输注AMSC；应用RT-PCR扩增患者AMSC使用前后外周血单个核细胞的TCR Vβ 24个亚家族的CDR3，了解患者TCR Vβ T细胞的分布情况；应用尼龙毛柱分离外周血T淋巴细胞，再经CD8磁珠分选出CD8^＋ T淋巴细胞．应用流式细胞术检测发生aGVHD患者使用AMSC前后外周血CD8^＋T细胞亚群的变化。结果患者发生aGVHD时，有TCR Vβ3及其他亚家族基因表达，输注AMSC后，GVHD得以有效控制。Vβ3不表达；当患者GVHD复发时，Vβ3基因又表达，治疗后不表达；与输注AMSC前相比，输注AMSC后，CD8^＋T细胞中的CD8^＋CD28^-亚群显著上调（P〈0．05），同时．患者的aGVHD得以有效控制。结论AMSC治疗aGVHD的分子机制可能与其抑制TCR Vβ亚家族基因表达有关，TCR Vβ3可能是AMSC作用的靶基因；同时，AMSC治疗aGVHD的作用机制可能与其上调CD8^＋CD28^-T细胞亚群有关．CD8^＋T细胞可能是AMSC作用的靶细胞。     

CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞与系统性红斑狼疮病情活动性关系的研究

目的：检测系统性红斑狼疮患者外周血CD4^＋CD25^＋、CD4^＋CD8^＋调节性T细胞亚群，探讨其与疾病活动性、肾脏损伤、血清抗ds-DNA抗体及免疫球蛋白和补体C3含量的关系。方法：采用流式细胞术检测北京协和医院住院和门诊SLE患者（n=37）外周血CD4^＋CD25^＋T、CD4^＋CD8^＋T细胞群比例，以15例RA和15例SS组成自身免疫性疾病对照，30例健康体检者作为正常对照，观察调节性T细胞亚群与SLE患者疾病活动性指标SLEDAI、IgG、C3及血清抗ds-DNA抗体的关系。结果：①疾病活动期SLE患者外周血CD4^＋CD25^＋调节性T细胞群比例显著低于正常对照组（P〈0.01），疾病稳定期和风湿性疾病对照组与正常对照组结果差异无统计学意义。疾病活动期和稳定期SLE患者CD4＋CD8＋T细胞群比例都略高于正常对照组，但未发现结果差异有统计学意义（P〉0.05）。②疾病活动期SLE患者外周血CD4^＋CD25^＋T细胞比例及CD4^＋CD25^＋/CD4^＋值显著低于稳定期患者（P〈0.01）。SLE患者外周血CD4^＋CD25^＋/CD4^＋值与SLEDAI、补体C3呈低度相关（r分别为-0.491、0.368，P〈0.05），CD4^＋CD25^＋T细胞数量与SLEDAI呈负相关（r=-0.578，P〈0.05）。③SLE并发肾病组外周血CD4^＋CD25^＋T细胞群比例及CD4^＋CD25^＋/CD4^＋值显著低于非肾病组（P〈0.01；P〈0.05）。同一SLE患者治疗前后CD3^＋CD4^-CD8^-细胞和NK细胞降低，CD4^＋CD25^＋细胞、CD4^＋CD25^＋/CD4^＋值及CD8^＋T细胞增加，但未发现这些结果差异有统计学意义。本次研究未发现NK细胞、CD4^＋CD8＋T细胞、CD4^＋CD25^＋T细胞群比例在ds-DNA＋组与ds-DNA-组之间结果差异有统计学意义。结论：SLE患者外周血CD4^＋CD25^＋T细胞群比例与SLEDAI成负相关，与肾脏的损害也有密切关系，但与血清抗ds-DNA抗体产生的关系不明显。活动期SLE患者外周血CD4^＋CD25^＋T细胞减少，稳定期CD4^＋CD25^＋T细胞比例回升，因此推测CD4^＋CD25^＋T细胞的变化可能是导致疾病发生和病情发展及相关器官（如肾脏）损伤的关键环节之一。     

淋巴细胞共刺激信号和凋亡信号异常与RA免疫效应亢进的研究

目的：探究T淋巴细胞表面多种细胞信号分子所介导的细胞活化或凋亡信号在RA患者免疫功能紊乱中的作用。方法：采用流式细胞术检测RA患者外周血T细胞亚群及其表面共刺激分子cD154（cD40L）、CD30和凋亡受体CD95（Fas）的表达。结果：RA患者外周血T细胞亚群偏移，CD4^＋T细胞增加，CD8^＋T细胞减少；共刺激分子CD154在CD4^＋和CD8^＋T细胞上的表达均上调，但CD30分子的表达均降低，并以CD4^＋T细胞降低更为明显。同时，凋亡受体CD95分子在T细胞亚群上的表达均明显增加。结论：RA患者T淋巴细胞表面多种信号分子表达异常，共同导致了RA患者免疫功能紊乱。     

RA患者外周血CD8＋CD28-和CD4＋CD25＋调节性T细胞的表达及疾病活动性指标相关性分析

目的：检测类风湿性关节炎（RA）患者外周血CD8＋CD28-、CD4＋CD25＋调节性T细胞亚群,探讨其与临床活动性指标的关系。方法：采用流式细胞术检测台州医院RA患者外周血CD8＋CD28-、CD4＋CD25＋ T细胞亚群比例,探讨调节性T细胞与RA活动性、类风湿因子（RF）、免疫球蛋白（Ig）、C反应蛋白（CRP）、补体C3、抗CCP抗体、抗核抗体（ANA）、血小板（PLT）及血沉（ESR）的关系。结果：活动期RA患者外周血CD4＋CD25＋调节性T细胞亚群比例显著低于正常对照组（P〈0.01）,但稳定期RA患者与正常对照组结果差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。活动期和稳定期RA患者CD8＋CD28-与正常对照组相比较,结果无统计学意义（P〉0.05）;CD4＋CD25＋与CRP密切相关（r=-0.593,P〈0.05）,CD8＋CD28-与ESR相关系数呈弱相关。CD4＋CD25＋和CD8＋CD28-细胞与RF、IGG、C3、ANA、anti-CCP和PLT未见明显相关性。结论：活动期RA患者外周血CD4＋CD25＋ T细胞亚群比例减少,CD4＋CD25＋ T细胞可能与类风湿性关节炎疾病进展有关。     

CD226在系统性红斑狼疮患者T淋巴细胞亚群上的表达

目的：研究CD226在SLE患者外周血T淋巴细胞亚群上的表达，以阐明CD226抗原在SLE患者体内T细胞活化中作用以及与SLE发病的关系。方法：31例SLE患者和30例健康志愿者外周血单个核细胞，在体外培养72h后，三色荧光标记的单克隆抗体染色，利用流式细胞仪测定T细胞亚群细胞表面CD226抗原的表达。结果；SLE患者组的CD3^ 、CD4^ 、CD8^ T淋巴细胞上CD226^ 表达均高于正常对照组（P＜0．01）；活动期SLE组、静止期SLE组的CD3^ 、CD4^ 、CD8^ T细胞上CD226^ 表达均显著高于对照组（P＜0．01），而活动期与静止期患者之间T细胞亚群上CD226^ 表达则无显著性差异（P＞0．05）。SLE患者CD3^ 、CD4^ 、CD8^ T细胞CD226^ 抗原表达水平与SLEDAI之间无明显相关性（P＞0．05）。结论：SLE患者体内存在T细胞亚群异常活化；活动期、静止期SLET淋巴细胞CD226^＋表达均增高，CD226^ 可能参与了SLE的免疫发病。     

手足口病患儿T淋巴细胞亚群与CD3^＋CD4ˉCD8ˉ双阴性调节性T细胞的检测及其临床意义

目的探讨外周血T淋巴细胞亚群及CD3^＋CD4ˉCD8ˉ双阴性调节性T细胞在手足口病病人发病中的临床意义。方法采用流式细胞术检测了46例手足口病患者以及17例健康体检者外周血T细胞亚群CD3^＋、CD3^＋CD4ˉCD8^＋、CD3^＋CD4^＋CD8^＋、CD3^＋CD4^＋CD8ˉ与CD3^＋CD4ˉCD8ˉ双阴性调节性T细胞水平。结果与正常对照组相比,手足口病患者组CD3^＋、CD3^＋CD4ˉCD8’、CD3^＋CD4ˉCD8ˉ双阴性调节性T细胞的百分率降低（P值分别为0．008、0．050、0．025）。CD3^＋CD4^＋CD8^＋、CD3^＋CD4^＋CD8ˉ百分率以及CD4／CD8比值差异无统计学意义（P值分别为0．847、0．775、0．149）,以上各细胞亚群的百分率以及CD4／CD8比值在年龄与性别方面差异无统计学意义。结论手足口病患者CD3^＋CD4ˉCD8ˉ双阴性调节性T细胞、CD3^＋、CD3^＋CD4ˉCD8^＋异常变化提示其免疫功能异常。     

艾滋病患者外周血CD127^＋T细胞的检测

目的探讨艾滋病患者外周血CD8^＋CD127^＋T细胞的变化情况。方法选择艾滋病患者58例和正常人18例，采用流式细胞分析方法检测CD127在CD8阳性细胞上的表达情况。结果在艾滋病患者外周血中，CD4^＋细胞比例（7．98％）明显低于正常人（53．5％），CD8^＋细胞比例（86．22％）明显高于正常人（36．02％），CD4／CD8比值（0．10）明显低于正常人（1．52），CD127^＋CD8^＋CD3^＋细胞比例（20．53％）明显低于正常人（67．85％）。结论CDl27在CD8阳性T细胞上表达的减少可能是导致艾滋病患者免疫功能缺陷的原因之一。     

T细胞凋亡受体和共刺激分子的表达变化与终末期肾功能衰竭患者细胞免疫功能的关系研究

目的：探究终末期肾功能衰竭患者T细胞亚群的凋亡受体CD95分子与共刺激分子CD28、CDl52（CTLA-4）的表达与细胞免疫功能的关系。方法：采用流式细胞术检测外周血T细胞的凋亡受体CD95（Fas）与共刺激分子CD28／CDl52表达。结果：终末期肾功能衰竭患者CD3^＋T细胞和CD4^＋T细胞比例明显高于健康对照组，CD4／CD8比值增加（P=0．008），CD4^＋T细胞和CD8^＋T细胞上CD95分子表达均上调（P=0．001），以CD8^＋T细胞上CD95分子增加更为明显；CD28和CD152分子在不同T细胞亚群上的表达均上调（P〈0．05），然而，CD4^＋T细胞以CD28分子表达增加为主，而CD8^＋T细胞则CD152分子表达增加为主。结论：终末期肾功能衰竭患者的细胞亚群失衡，共刺激分子CD28和CD152表达异常增加，提示T细胞活化与抑制性调节发生紊乱。T细胞亚群上凋亡受体CD95分子表达增加，以CD8^＋T细胞为主，说明终末期肾功能衰竭者淋巴细胞的减少可能通过两种途径——受体配体途径和负性共刺激分子CD152抑制信号途径，其中以CD8^＋T细胞减少为主，造成患者细胞免疫缺陷。     

肺癌患者CD4+CD25high Foxp3+调节性T细胞的格局变化及意义

目的：研究肺癌患者外周血（PBMC）及肿瘤浸润淋巴细胞（TIL）中CD4^＋ CD25^high Foxp3^＋调节性T细胞（Treg）的比例改变，探讨其在抗肿瘤免疫中的调节作用。方法：分离肺癌患者PBMC及TIL，FACS分析CD4^＋／CD8^＋T细胞的比值及CD4^＋ CD25^highT细胞占CD4^＋T细胞的比例。Real-time PCR检测Treg特异性转录因子Foxp3基因在PBMC及TIL中的表达。结果：肺癌患者PBMC及TIL中CD4^＋／CD8^＋比值降低；而CD4^＋ CD25^high T细胞在CD4^＋T细胞中所占比例升高；Foxp3基因仅在TIL中高表达，而在PBMC中低或不表达，表明肿瘤局部的CD4^＋ CD25^high T细胞主要是CD4^＋ CD25^high Foxp3^＋ Treg。结合临床资料分析显示Treg在肺腺癌比例较高。结论：CD4^＋ CD25^high Foxp3^＋ Treg在肺癌患者肿瘤浸润淋巴细胞中明显升高，可能与其通过细胞与细胞间接触抑制CD8^＋T细胞的杀伤效应，最终发挥免疫抑制效应相关。     

共刺激信号分子表达异常与自身免疫性疾病的关系

目的 分析类风湿性关节炎（RA）和系统性红斑狼疮（SLE）细胞免疫异常中共刺激活化信号途径的异同点,探讨细胞活化的共刺激信号途径对于RA和SLE发病的意义。方法 采用流式细胞术分析SLE和RA患者T细胞表面共刺激分子CD28、CD152／CTLA-4、CD154／CD40L和ICOS表达情况。结果 ①RA患者CD4^＋T细胞比例明显增加,SLE患者以CD8^＋T细胞增加显著。②SLE患者CD4^＋和CD8^＋T细胞上CD28和CD152的表达增加;RA患者T细胞亚群上CD28分子的表达减少,CD152分子的表达增加。③RA患者CD4^＋T细胞上CD154分子表达增加,CD8^＋T细胞上CD154分子表达减少,T细胞亚群上可诱导共刺激分子（ICOS）的表达无明显变化;SLE患者CD4^＋和CD8^＋T细胞上CD1254或ICOS分子的表达均减少。结论 RA和SLE患者机体的免疫异常中存在着明显的分子信号途径差异。     

Regulatory function of cytomegalovirus-specific CD4CD27CD28 T cells

CMV infection is characterized by high of frequencies of CD27⁻CD28⁻ T cells. Here we demonstrate that CMV-specific CD4⁺CD27⁻CD28⁻ cells are regulatory T cells (T_R). CD4⁺CD27⁻CD28⁻ cells sorted from CMV-stimulated PBMC of CMV-seropositive donors inhibited de novo CMV-specific proliferation of autologous PBMC in a dose-dependent fashion. Compared with the entire CMV-stimulated CD4⁺ T-cell population, higher proportions of CD4⁺CD27⁻CD28⁻ T_R expressed FoxP3, TGFβ, granzyme B, perforin, GITR and PD-1, lower proportions expressed CD127 and PD1-L and similar proportions expressed CD25, CTLA4, Fas-L and GITR-L. CMV-CD4⁺CD27⁻CD28⁻ T_R expanded in response to IL-2, but not to CMV antigenic restimulation. The anti-proliferative effect of CMV-CD4⁺CD27⁻CD28⁻ T_R significantly decreased after granzyme B or TGFβ inhibition. The CMV-CD4⁺CD27⁻CD28⁻ T_R of HIV-infected and uninfected donors had similar phenotypes and anti-proliferative potency, but HIV-infected individuals had higher proportions of CMV-CD4⁺CD27⁻CD28⁻ T_R. The CMV-CD4⁺CD27⁻CD28⁻ T_R may contribute to the downregulation of CMV-specific and nonspecific immune responses of CMV-infected individuals.     

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia with peripheral T lymphocytes expressing CD 2+, CD 3+, CD 4-, CD 8-, CD 16+, and CD 56+ and lymph-node lymphocytes expressing CD 2+, CD 3-, CD 4-, CD 8-, CD 16+, CD 38+, and CD 56+]

A 33-year-old man was hospitalized because of thrombocytopenia and severe splenomegaly. On admission 78% of peripheral lymphoid cells were abnormally large, with pale cytoplasm. Flow cytometry of the abnormal lymphocytes showed that they expressed CD 2, CD 3, CD 11, CD 16, and CD 56, but not CD 4 nor CD 8, so they were T-cell large granular lymphocytes (T-LGL). Abnormal lymphocytes obtained from a lymph node expressed CD 2, CD 16, CD 38, and CD 56, but not CD 3, CD 4, and CD 8, so they were natural killer(NK) cells. Splenectomy was performed and the operative specimen showed diffuse infiltration of pleomorphic lymphocytes, probably chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells. After splenectomy, the platelet count returned to normal but the lymphocytosis continued. Two years after discharge, chemotherapy was done because of thrombocytopenia and hepatomegaly. The patient died of disseminated intravascular coagulation arising from sepsis. The differences and similarities between peripheral and lymph-node lymphocytes suggest that LGL and NK cells may be differentiated from the same kind of cell, somewhat differentiated from stem cells.     

Interferons alpha/beta inhibit IL-7-induced proliferation of CD4- CD8- CD3- CD44+ CD25+ thymocytes, but do not inhibit that of CD4- CD8- CD3- CD44- CD25- thymocytes.

Type 1 interferons (IFN-alpha/beta) have recently been shown to inhibit interleukin-7 (IL-7)-induced growth and survival of early B-lineage cells. The CD3- CD4- CD8- (triple negative; TN) thymocytes from normal mice strongly proliferated upon stimulation with IL-7 in suspension, culture. Such an IL-7-induced proliferation was suppressed by the addition of IFN-alpha/beta, but a fraction of the TN thymocytes still showed proliferation. The IL-7-induced growth of TN thymocytes from acid mice, which lack the CD44- CD25- subpopulation, was completely inhibited by the addition of IFN-alpha/beta. The IL-7 induced proliferation of CD4- CD8- thymocytes from T-cell receptor (TCR) transgenic mice, the majority of which are CD3+ CD44- CD25-, was resistant to IFN-alpha/beta-mediated suppression. In fetal thymus organ cultures (FTOC), the addition of IL-7 greatly increased the population of CD4- CD8- CD44+ CD25+ thymocytes and IFN-alpha/beta inhibited this IL-7-driven expansion. In contrast, the addition of IL-7 markedly decreased the percentages of CD4- CD8- CD3- CD44- CD25- cells, and IFN-alpha/beta reversed the effect and increased the subpopulations of CD44- CD25+ and CD44- CD25-. Finally, IFN-beta mRNA was found to be expressed in the thymus. The data suggest that type I interferons inhibit IL-7-driven proliferation of TN thymocytes, but do not block the normal differentiation process.     

A Combination of CD15/CD10, CD64/CD33, CD16/CD13 or CD11b Flow Cytometric Granulocyte Panels is Sensitive and Specific for Diagnosis of Myelodysplastic Syndrome

Flow cytometry (FCM) is a reproducible and objective technique that may be useful in the diagnosisof myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) by detecting abnormal immunophenotypes specific to MDS. We investigated 5 granulocyte/monocyte panels by FCM to find a sensitive and specific combination of panels in order to discriminate MDS from non-clonal hematologic disorders. Bone marrow aspirates from 35 patients with MDS and 25 patients with non-clonal hematologic disorders were studied. We performed FCM using 5 granulocyte/monocyte panels (CD15/CD10/CD45, CD64/CD33/CD45, CD16/CD13/CD45, CD16/CD11b/CD45, and CD56/CD19/CD7/CD45) to examine the positive rate in MDS and controls, and to find an optimal combination that maximizes the detection rate of MDS. In MDS, the number of abnormal immunophenotypes per 5 granulocytic and 5 monocytic panels were 2.1±1.2 and 2.2±1.4. The rates were higher than the controls (P< 0.001, respectively). As the number of employed panels increased, the percent values of abnormal immunophenotypes increased (P=0.002). The maximum rate of abnormal immunophenotype was 89.7% in MDS patients, especially 100.0% in normal karyotype, when a combination of three panels, CD15/CD10/CD45, CD64/CD33/CD45, and either CD16/CD13/CD45 or CD16/CD11b/CD45 was used. This study demonstrates that a combination of CD15/CD10, CD64/CD33, CD16/CD13 or CD11b granulocyte panels in FCM is sensitive and specific for diagnosis of MDS.     

A CD44 monoclonal antibody differentially regulates CD11a/CD18 binding to intercellular adhesion molecules CD54, CD102 and CD50

We have made a monoclonal anti-CD44 antibody which is able to activate the leukocyte integrin CD11a/CD18. Activated T cells strongly aggregated, and the aggregation was shown to be intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 (CD54) and ICAM-2 (CD102) dependent. Using purified ICAM coated on plastic, only binding to ICAM-1 was increased by the CD44 antibody, whereas activation by phorbol ester increased binding to both ICAM-1 and ICAM-3. The binding to ICAM-2 was not affected by either treatment. These findings show that the CD11a/CD18 integrin can be activated in a ligand-specific manner by engagement of CD44.     

Kikuchi病中检测出全T细胞相关抗原丢失

目的 观察全T细胞相关抗原CD2、CD3、CD5、CD7在Kikuchi病中是否存在丢失,探讨将全T细胞相关抗原丢失作为鉴别T细胞良、恶性病变辅助诊断依据的局限性.方法 收集33例明确诊断为Kikuchi病和15例淋巴组织反应性增生病例,通过复习HE切片并应用免疫组织化学EliVision法检测病变中CD2、CD3、CD5、CD7的表达情况.结果 72.7％ (24/33)的Kikuchi病患者中存在一种或几种全T细胞相关抗原的丢失,其中13例仅CD5丢失,1例仅CD7丢失,1例仅CD2丢失,2例CD2和CD7丢失,4例CD5和CD7丢失,2例CD2和CD5丢失,1例CD2、CD5和CD7丢失.以CD5丢失最多见(60.6％,20/33),其次为CD7(24.2％,8/33)和CD2( 18.2％,6/33).抗原的丢失多见于增生型及坏死型.经随访,抗原的丢失与Kikuchi病的预后无明显相关性.15例淋巴组织反应性增生病例中无明显抗原丢失现象.结论 Kikuchi病中存在一种或几种全T细胞相关抗原的丢失.因此,将全T细胞相关抗原丢失作为T细胞淋巴瘤辅助诊断依据不适用于Kikuchi病.     

Dichotomy of two CD8+ lymphocyte subsets in HIV infection. Depletion of CD8+ CD3- and expansion of CD8+ CD3+ subsets: consequence on the CD4/CD8 ratio.

In order to highlight the underlying mechanism(s) of the CD8 lymphocyte expansion in the HIV infection, two distinct CD8 subsets were analysed: T CD8bright+ CD3+ with MHC-restricted activity, and non-T CD8dim+ CD3-, which performs natural killer (NK) activity. It consists of a cross-sectional study including 168 HIV-infected patients (74 CDC stage II, 48 CDC stage III and 46 CDC stage IV) compared among them and to 60 healthy individuals. We observed an expansion of CD8+ CD3+ cells which masks a depletion of CD8+ CD3-. The comparative study showed that the expansion of the CD8+ CD3+ is relatively higher than that of total CD8+ lymphocytes and that the depletion of the CD8+ CD3- subset is severe, begins early and remains constant through the HIV progression. The comparison of CD4/CD8 and CD4/CD8+ CD3+ ratios showed that the latter could possibly be a better indicator in the HIV infection. The mechanism of inverted CD4/CD8 ratio in healthy individuals was also clarified. The CD8+ CD3+, CD8+ CD3- and CD4/CD8+ CD3+ parameters would be more specific markers than total CD8 and CD4/CD8 ratio especially in therapy trials.     

恶性肿瘤患者CD4+CD25+/CD4+CD25high调节性T细胞的研究

目的：探讨恶性肿瘤患者外周血CD4^＋CD25^＋/CD4^＋CD25^high调节性T细胞（Regulatory T cell，Treg）水平的特点及其临床意义。方法：采用流式细胞术检测Treg水平，并进行分层分析。结果：62例恶性肿瘤患者外周血中CD4^＋CD25^＋/CD4^＋CD25^high Treg占T细胞的百分比分别为19.61%±8.17%和4.20%±1.90%，高于正常对照组（分别为P〈0.05和P〈0.001），它们与NK细胞呈负相关（r分别为-0.2361和-0.306）。随疾病进展，CD4^＋ CD25^＋Treg水平升高，肿瘤进展期（IV期）与前3期比较有极显著差异（P〈0.001）。CD4^＋CD25^high Treg占CD4＋T细胞的百分比率逐渐升高，中期（Ⅲ期）患者与早期患者、正常对照组比较有极显著差异（P〈0.001）；晚期患者与中期患者比较有极显著差异（P〈0.001）。结论：恶性肿瘤患者外周血CD4^＋CD25^＋/CD4^＋CD25^high Treg水平的升高，与恶性肿瘤免疫功能低下及肿瘤的发生发展密切相关。     

Reduction in CD16/CD56 and CD16/CD3/CD56 Natural Killer Cells in Coronary Artery Disease

Background: Natural killer (NK) cells are the potential modulators of inflammatory reactions that exert several unique biological effects and could lead to future adverse events of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to find out the possible association of modulation in NK cell, TNK cells, T cells, B cells, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in CAD patients and various forms of myocardial infarction.

Methods: The present study included total 190 subjects (98 confirmed CAD patients both men and women and 92 healthy control individuals). Serum concentration of TNF-α was measured by ELISA method. For the measurement of various immune cells, viz., NK cell, TNK cells, T cells, and B cells, flow-cytometric analysis was performed.

Results: A significant reduction by 15% (P < 0.001) in CD16/CD56 NK cells was observed in CAD patients. Moreover, non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), unstable angina (UA), and combined UA + NSTEMI group also showed a significant decline in NK cells compared with control individuals. CD16/CD56/CD3 TNK cells showed a significant reduction in CAD, NSTEMI, STEMI, and UA categories. However, UA + NSTEMI group did not show any significant change in TNK cells. On the other hand, the level of TNF-α was found to be significantly elevated in CAD, STEMI, and UA groups. NSTEMI and combined UA + NSTEMI group did not show any significant change in TNF-α level.

Conclusion: Current study provides an insight toward the association of immune cells and inflammation with CAD.