HLA-DRBeta1, circulating Th1/Th2 cytokines and immunological homunculus in coronary atherosclerosis

Iran J Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2011 Mar;10(1):11-9.

Abstract

Coronary atherosclerotic disease is one of the most endangering health disorder worldwide. This study was designed to investigate the correlation between HLA-DR1 alleles and circulating Th1/Th2 type cytokines in coronary atherosclerosis. By Elisa, Th1/Th2 type cytokines were determined in serum samples of 31 subjects with unstable angina, 27 subjects with chronic stable angina and 24 individuals as normal control. By SSP-PCR, more than 100 alleles of HLA-DRBeta1 were typed in 24 subjects who had skewed serum levels of Th1/Th2 type cytokines. Lipid profiles were determined by the routine methods of clinical laboratory in all subjects. The mean serum concentration of IL-10 in normal control subjects was higher in comparison to the patient groups.0.33±0.59 pg/ml versus 0.064±0.3 pg/ml in unstable angina pectoris group (p<0.028) and 0.22±0.6 pg/ml in chronic stable subjects. There was no statistically significant difference among the groups in serum levels of other desired cytokines (IFN-Gamma, IL-4). 33.33% of normal control subjects were HLA-DR16 positive whereas none of the subjects with chronic stable angina or individuals with unstable angina pectoris was positive for this antigen. The mean concentration of serum LDL-cholesterol in normal control group was high 142.046±35.40 (pg/ml).This preliminary study shows that the atherogenic effect of the LDL- cholesterol may be dampened by HDL-cholesterol through anti inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and HLA-DR16, a phenomenon interpretable via immunological homunculus theory.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Angina Pectoris / genetics
  • Angina Pectoris / immunology
  • Angina, Unstable / genetics
  • Angina, Unstable / immunology
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cholesterol, HDL / blood
  • Cholesterol, LDL / blood
  • Coronary Artery Disease / blood
  • Coronary Artery Disease / complications
  • Coronary Artery Disease / genetics*
  • Coronary Artery Disease / immunology*
  • Cytokines / blood*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • HLA-DR Antigens / genetics*
  • HLA-DR Serological Subtypes
  • HLA-DRB1 Chains
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-10 / blood
  • Iran
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Phenotype
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Th1 Cells / immunology*
  • Th2 Cells / immunology*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Cholesterol, HDL
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Cytokines
  • HLA-DR Antigens
  • HLA-DR Serological Subtypes
  • HLA-DR16 antigen
  • HLA-DRB1 Chains
  • IL10 protein, human
  • Interleukin-10