Changes of CD4~+ CD25~+ Regulatory T Cells and Their Relation to Inflammation in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome

Objective:To investigate the frequency and function of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T lymphocytes(Treg) in patients with acute coronary syndromes(ACS) and their relation to inflammation. Methods: CD4+ T lymphocytes from 32 ACS patients and 18 healthy subjects were separated and flow cytometric analysis was used to detect the Treg frequency of each group. The Treg inhibiting capacity on effector T cell was determined by mixed lymphocyte reaction(MLR). ELISA was used to analyze the serum levels of cytokines(IL-10,TGF-β1 and IFN-γ). Results: When compared with normal group, Treg percentage was significantly decreased in ACS patients. The Treg inhibiting capacity was lower. Proinflammatory IFN-γwas elevated, and the antiinflammatory IL-10 and TGF-β1 decreased in ACS patients compared with normal controls. Treg frequency was positively correlated with serum TGF-β1 ,but negatively with serum IFN-γand CRP. Conclusion: ACS is associated with lower frequency and defected function of Treg, which may play an important role in initiating immune-inflammatory response in ACS patients.