Selective Expansion of Influenza A Virus–Specific T Cells in Symptomatic Human Carotid Artery Atherosclerotic Plaques
- 1 January 2008
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health) in Stroke
- Vol. 39 (1), 174-179
- https://doi.org/10.1161/strokeaha.107.491282
Abstract
Background and Purpose— Evidence is accumulating that infection with influenza A virus contributes to atherothrombotic disease. Vaccination against influenza decreases the risk of atherosclerotic syndromes, indicating that inflammatory mechanisms may be involved. We tested the hypothesis that influenza A virus–specific T cells contribute to atherosclerotic plaque inflammation, which mediates the onset of plaque rupture. Methods— T-cell cultures were generated from atherosclerotic segments and peripheral blood of 30 patients with symptomatic carotid artery disease. The response of plaque and peripheral blood T cells to influenza A virus was analyzed and expressed as a stimulation index (SI). Selective outgrowth of intraplaque influenza A–specific T cells was calculated by the ratio of plaque T cell SI and peripheral blood T cell SI for each patient. Accordingly, the patients were categorized as high- (SI ratio ≥5), intermediate- (5 Results— High proliferative responses of plaque-derived T cells to influenza A virus were frequently observed. Among the 30 patients, 5 were categorized as high responders, 10 were intermediate responders, and 15 were nonresponders. Live influenza A virus could not be detected in the atherosclerotic plaques by polymerase chain reaction. Conclusions— Selective outgrowth of influenza A virus–specific T cells occurs within the microenvironment of human atherosclerotic plaques. Influenza virus–derived antigens or alternatively, mimicry antigens, appear to be potential candidates for triggering or sustaining plaque inflammation, which eventually leads to symptomatic plaque complications.This publication has 20 references indexed in Scilit:
- Epstein Barr virus specific T-cells generated from unstable human atherosclerotic lesions: Implications for plaque inflammationAtherosclerosis, 2006
- Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome Show Oligoclonal T-Cell Recruitment Within Unstable PlaqueCirculation, 2006
- Influenza Vaccination Is Associated With a Reduced Risk of StrokeStroke, 2005
- Risk of Myocardial Infarction and Stroke after Acute Infection or VaccinationThe New England Journal of Medicine, 2004
- T Cell Responses to Influenza Virus Infection: Effector and Memory CellsViral Immunology, 2004
- CD40 ligand is selectively expressed on CD4+ T cells and platelets: implications for CD40–CD40L signalling in atherosclerosisThe Journal of Pathology, 2003
- Simultaneous Detection of Influenza Viruses A and B Using Real-Time Quantitative PCRJournal of Clinical Microbiology, 2001
- Cross-regulatory roles of interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-10 in atherosclerosis.JCI Insight, 1996
- Association of acute respiratory symptoms with onset of acute myocardial infarction: Prospective investigation of 150 consecutive patients and matched control patientsThe American Journal of Cardiology, 1984
- Acute myocardial infarction precipitated by infectious diseaseAmerican Heart Journal, 1981