Immune Cell Repertoire and Their Mediators in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction or Stable Angina Pectoris

Abstract

Background: To evaluate the natural innate and adaptive immunity through gene expression and cytology levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), stable angina pectoris (SAP) and controls. Methods: 210 patients with AMI, 210 with SAP, and 250 clinical controls were recruited. Whole human genome microarray analysis was performed in 20 randomly chosen subjects per group were examined to detect the expressions of complement markers, natural killer cells, T cells and B cells. The quantity of these cells and related cytokines as well as immunoglobulin levels were measured in all subjects. Results: In AMI group, the mRNA expressions of late complement component, markers of natural killer cells, CD3+, CD8+ T cells and B cells were down-regulated, while those of early complement component and CD4+T cells were up-regulated (p<0.05). In both AMI and SAP patients, the quantity of natural killer cells, CD3+, CD8+ T cells, B cells, IgM and IgG were significantly lower than those of the controls. CD4+ T cells, CH50, C3, C4, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6 and IFN-γ were significantly higher (p<0.05). Conclusions: In AMI patients, both of gene expressions related to complement, natural killer cells, CD3+, CD8+ T cells, B cells and the quantity of these immune cells decreased while cell number reduced in SAP patients. Immune function in both AMI and SAP patients decreased especially in AMI patients with declined gene and protein levels. To improve the immune system is a potential target for medical interventions and prevention in AMI.

Keywords: adaptive immunity.; gene expression; innate immunity; myocardial infarction; stable angina pectoris.

Figure 1

From three groups in PBMCs, (A) mRNA expression of early and late components complement. (B) Serum CH50 level. (C) Serum C3 level. (D) Serum C4 level. Three groups: *, P<0.05; **, P<0.01. AMI vs. Con: #, P<0.05; ##, P<0.01. AMI vs. SAP: +, P<0.05; ++, P<0.01. SAP vs. Con &: P<0.05; &&: P<0.01.

Figure 2

From three groups in PBMCs, (A) mRNA expression of intracellular and extracellular markers of CD16+CD56+cells. (B) The comparison of CD16+CD56+ cells counting. Three groups: *, P<0.05; **, P<0.01. AMI vs. Con: #, P<0.05; ##, P<0.01. AMI vs. SAP: +, P<0.05; ++, P<0.01. SAP vs. Con &: P<0.05; &&: P<0.01.

Figure 3

From three groups in PBMCs, (A) Expression of genes related to T cell antigen recognition. (B) CD3+ counting. (C) Expression of genes related to CD4+. (D) CD4+ counting. (E) Genes related to CD8+. (F) CD8+ counting. Three groups: *, P<0.05; **, P<0.01. AMI vs. Con: #, P<0.05; ##, P<0.01. AMI vs. SAP: +, P<0.05; ++, P<0.01. SAP vs. Con &: P<0.05; &&: P<0.01.

Figure 4

From three groups in PBMCs, (A) mRNA expression of intracellular and extracellular markers of CD19+ cell. (B) The comparison of CD19+ cells counting. Three groups: *, P<0.05; **, P<0.01. AMI vs. Con: #, P<0.05; ##, P<0.01. AMI vs. SAP: +, P<0.05; ++, P<0.01. SAP vs. Con &: P<0.05; &&: P<0.01.