Annexin A1 expression in blood mononuclear cells : a potential marker of glucocorticoid activity in patients with coronary artery disease

• An imbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory actions is believed to drive progression of atherosclerosis. Annexin A1 (AnxA1) is a key player in resolution of inflammation and a mediator of anti-inflammatory effects of glucocorticoids. Here, we investigated whether expression of AnxA1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was altered in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and also related findings to glucocorticoid sensitivity ex vivo.We included 57 patients 6-12 months after acute coronary syndrome (ACS), 10 patients with ACS, and healthy controls. AnxA1 mRNA was measured in PBMCs and AnxA1 protein was assessed in monocytes and lymphocyte subsets by flow cytometry. In post-ACS patients and controls, glucocorticoid sensitivity was determined by measuring inhibitory effects of dexamethasone on LPS46 induced cytokine secretion.AnxA1 mRNA levels in PBMCs were higher in patients compared with controls, although most pronounced in ACS patients. AnxA1 protein was most abundant in the monocyte fraction. ACS patients exhibited the highest levels of cell surface-associated AnxA1 protein while levels in post-ACS patients and controls were similar. Ex vivo assays showed that PBMCs from post-ACS patients were more prone to release IL-6. Glucocorticoid sensitivity correlated with cell surface-associated AnxA1 protein in peripheral monocytes. Dexamethasone also induced upregulation of AnxA1 mRNA.AnxA1 expression in PBMCs is closely associated with glucocorticoid actions and cell surface associated AnxA1 appears to be a marker of glucocorticoid sensitivity. Although still speculative, a “normal” expression of cell surface-associated AnxA1 in post-ACS patients may suggest that glucocorticoid actions in vivo are insufficient to provide adequate anti-inflammatory effects in these patients.

Subject headings

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

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Cell- och molekylärbiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Cell and Molecular Biology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Annexin A1

monocytes

glucocorticoids

coronary artery disease

acute coronary syndrome

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

ovr (subject category)