Clinical significance of changes in adhesion molecule expression and cytokines secretion in peripheral blood monocytes of patients with unstable angina

Objective To investigate changes in the expression of adhesion molecules and secretion of cytokines in peripheral blood monocytes (PBMs) of unstable angina patients with coronary heart diseases (CHD), and to explore their clinical significance. Methods Forty two patients who underwent coronary arteriography served as study subjects. According to clinical diagnosis, the patients who had significant coronary artery diseases were divided into unstable angina group and stable exertional angina group, whereas patients who had normal coronary arteries served as control. The expression of adhesion molecules CD11b, CD49d and CD54 on monocyte surface was measured by direct immunofluorescence technique in combination with flow cytometry, and the secretion of TNF α、IL 8 was measured by radioimmunoassay and ELISA. Results Expression of CD11b, CD49d and CD54 and secretion of TNF α、IL 8 in monocytes were significantly higher in unstable angina group and stable exertional angina group than in control subjects, and were higher in unstable angina group than in stable exertional angina group. There was no correlation between severity of coronary stenosis and the expression of CD11b, CD49d and CD54 and the secretion of TNF α、IL 8 in PBMs. Conclusion It was suggested that there is activation in monocytes in circulating blood of patients with CHD, but the activity is not related to severity of coronary stenosis. Thus the activation of monocytes in circulation may have potential role in the pathogenesis of unstable coronary artery disease.