ABSTRACT
AIM: To investigate the changes of Foxp3(+); (including CD4(+);Foxp3(+); and CD4(+);CD25(+);Foxp3(+);) regulatory T cells (Tregs) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS: Forty-four ACS patients, twenty patients with stable angina (SA) and twenty-four control patients were enrolled. The percentages of the peripheral Tregs, Foxp3 mRNA and plasma level of TGF-ß1 were measured by flow cytometry, real-time quantitative PCR and ELISA. RESULTS: The percentages of CD4(+);CD25(+);Foxp3(+); Tregs and CD4(+);Foxp3(+); Tregs, Foxp3 mRNA and plasma level of TGF-ß1 significantly decreased in the ACS group as compared with those in the SA group and the controls (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in the percentage of CD4(+);CD25(+); Tregs among all three groups. CONCLUSION: There are less Foxp3(+);Tregs, perhaps with impaired function, in ACS patients, which might contribute to plaque destabilization.
