Analysis of blood Th17 cell and IL-17 from different regions of body in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Objective To investigate the differences and significance of blood levels of T helper 17(Th17) cell and interleukin17(IL-17) between peripheral and culprit vessels in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Methods A total of 76 patients recruited in 2012 were divided into three groups according to the coronary angiography and clinical manifestations: acute coronary syndrome, stable angina and control groups.The blood samples were taken from cubital vein and culprit coronary artery after coronary angiography.The percentage of Th17s among CD4+ T cells was detected by flow cytometric analysis and the IL-17 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results There was no significant difference in the percentages of Th17 cells between peripheral blood and culprit artery blood[(3.18±0.29)%vs.(3.17±0.30)%, (P=0.919)]; but the perecentages of Th17 in peripheral blood were found to be significantly higher in patients with acute coronary syndrome(3.18±0.29)% than those with stable angina (1.32±0.31)% and those without coronary heart disease(1.28±0.33)% , (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the level of IL-17 between peripheral blood and culprit artery blood[(81.23±18.63)vs.(82.37±20.51)pg/mL, P=0.573]; but the level of IL-17 in peripheral blood was also significantly higher in patients with acute coronary syndrome than those with stable angina and those without coronary heart disease[(81.23±18.63)vs.(25.96±14.58)pg/mL or(23.75±13.64)pg/mL, P<0.01]. Conclution There were no significant differences in percentage of Th17 cell among CD4+ T cells and levels of IL-17 in blood between peripheral and culprit vessels in patients with acute coronary syndrome. The percentage of Th17 among CD4+ T cells and the levels of IL-17 in blood increase in patients with acute coronary syndrome suggesting a potential role of Th17 and IL-17 in the development and instability of the atheroma. Key words: Acute coronary syndrome; Atherosclerosis; T helper 17 cell; Culprit vessel; Interleukin 17