†These authors contributed equally.
Academic Editor: Jerome L. Fleg
Background: Regulatory T (Treg) cells are a class of anti-inflammatory
lymphocyte subpopulations with a potential protective effect against
atherosclerosis, whereas T helper 17 (Th17) cells have been reported to possess
proatherogenic activity. It was believed that disturbed circulating Treg/Th17
balance was associated with the onset and progression of atherosclerosis. This
study is designed to probe the regulative action of serum Nod-like receptor
protein 3 (NLRP3) on the Treg/Th17 balance in patients with atherosclerosis.
Methods: Fifty-two patients with coronary atherosclerosis and stenosis
degrees of more than 50% were assigned to the coronary artery
disease (CAD) group, and an equal number of people without coronary
atherosclerosis were assigned to the control group (assessed by
coronary angiography). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from two group
patients were extracted and cultivated. The calculation of the Treg/Th17 ratio
and quantitative analysis of the Treg and Th17 cell frequencies were performed
through flow cytometry. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain
reaction (RT-PCR) was executed for the quantitative mRNA detection of the fork
head-winged helix transcription factor (Foxp3) and the retinoic acid-related
orphan nuclear receptor C (RORC) in PBMCs. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays
were applied to measure the serum level of NLRP3, interleukin (IL)-10,
IL-1
1. In patients with atherosclerosis, the Th17 cell frequency was enhanced, whereas Treg cell frequency and the Treg/Th17 ratio in PBMCs dropped.
2. The serum level of NLRP3 was increased in atherosclerotic patients.
3. The serum of atherosclerotic patients showed a higher level of Th17 cell-related inflammatory cytokines, but a lower level of Treg cell-regulated aanti-inflammatory cytokines.
4. In atherosclerosis, the serum level of NLRP3 was inversely connected with anti-inflammatory cytokines but favorably associated with pro-inflammatory cytokines.
In individuals with atherosclerosis, the serum NLRP3 level was inversely associated with the Treg/Th17 ratio.