Cytomegalovirus seropositivity is a major determinant of CD28null T cell expansion in patients with coronary artery disease

• Objective: Accumulation of CD4+28null cells, with a proinflammatory and senescent phenotype, has been associated with unstable conditions of coronary artery disease (CAD). Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is known to exert profound effects on T cells, including loss of CD28. Here, we longitudinally assessed the proportions of CD28null and CD28nullCD57+ cells in CD4+ and CD8+ T cell populations of patients with CAD and related the findings to HCMV seropositivity.Methods: HCMV antibody levels and expression of CD28 and CD57 on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were analysed in 31 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), 34 patients with stable angina (SA) and 37 healthy controls. Samples were taken prior to 34 coronary angiography and after 3 and 12 months. In a subsample, HCMV-specific IFN-γ and  TNF production was assessed ex vivo.Results: Increased proportions of CD4+CD28null, but not CD8+CD28null cells, were significantly associated with presence of CAD. Significant increases in CD28null 37 and CD28nullCD57+ cells occurred within CD4+ and CD8+ T cell compartments in both ACS and SA patients during 12-month follow-up. HCMV was the major determinant of CD28null and CD28nullCD57+ T cell levels in both patients and controls (p <0.001). There were no obvious signs of CMV reactivation in patients.Conclusion: HCMV was a major determinant of the presence of CD28null and CD28nullCD57+ T cells in patients with CAD, independent of clinical stage. Findings also indicate that HCMV might have a large impact on the T cell aging process that occurred in patients after a cardiac event.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Biologi -- Immunologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Biological Sciences -- Immunology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Coronary artery disease

acute coronary syndrome

CD28null T cells

CD57+ 49 T cells

Human cytomegalovirus

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

ovr (subject category)