Correlation between monocyte and T-lymphocyte activation markers in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Evidence suggesting the involvement of activated monocytes and T-lymphocyte s in the acute phase of coronary artery disease (CAD) has been increasing. But a detailed analysis of a correlation between monocyte and T-lymphocyte activation markers in CAD has not yet been done. We analyzed plasma C-react ive protein (CRP) levels and the expression levels of CD14 and CD11b on mon ocytes and the percentage of HLA-DR+ T-lymphocytes in 25 patients with acut e coronary syndrome (ACS), 12 stable angina (SA) patients, and 23 control s ubjects using flow-cytometry. The expression of CD14 by monocytes was incre ased significantly in ACS patients (activation index = 38.7 +/- 2.5, mean /- SEM) in comparison to the control subjects (8.0 +/- 1.9) and the SA pati ents (16.9 +/- 3.9) (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively). The expression of CD11b by monocytes of ACS patients (4.6 +/- 0.6) was also increased sign ificantly in comparison to control subjects (2.2 +/- 0.1) and the SA patien ts (2.2 +/- 0.3) (p < 0.001 for both). Also, a significantly higher percent age of HLA-Dr positive T-lymphocytes (19.2 +/- 1.8 vs 13.5 +/- 1/2%, p < 0. 05) was observed among ACS patients in comparison to control subjects. Sign ificant increases in plasma CRP levels were also detected in ACS patients. Furthermore, there were statistically significant correlations among those activation markers. These results indicate that activation of inflammatory cells may play a role in the pathogenesis of ACS. The correlation between t he activation status of monocytes and T-lymphocytes indicates that the acti vation of these immune cells is linked in such a way that activation of one type of cell may lead to the activation of another type of cell.