Increased Systemic and Local Interleukin 9 Levels in Patients with Carotid and Coronary Atherosclerosis
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https://hdl.handle.net/10037/6004Date
2013Type
Journal articleTidsskriftartikkel
Peer reviewed
Author
Gregersen, Ida; Skjelland, Mona; Holm, Sverre; Holven, Kirsten Bjørklund; Sørensen, Kirsten; Russell, David; Askevold, Erik Tandberg; Dahl, Christen Peder; Ørn, Stein; Gullestad, Lars; Mollnes, Tom Eirik; Ueland, Thor; Aukrust, Pål; Halvorsen, BenteAbstract
Objective: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that involves a range of inflammatory mediators. Although
interleukin (IL)-9 has been related to inflammation, there are at present no data on its role in atherosclerosis. Here we have
examined IL-9 and IL-9 receptor (IL-9R) systemically and locally in patients with coronary and carotid atherosclerosis.
Methods: Plasma IL-9 was quantified by enzyme immunoassay and multiplex technology. IL-9 and IL-9R mRNA were
quantified by real-time RT-PCR, and their localization within the lesion was assessed by immunohistochemistry.
Results: The main findings were: (i) Patients with carotid atherosclerosis had significantly raised IL-9 plasma levels compared
with healthy controls (n = 28), with no differences between asymptomatic (n = 56) and symptomatic (n = 88) patients. (ii) On
admission, patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) (n = 42) had markedly raised IL-9 plasma levels
which gradually declined during the first week post-MI. (iii) T cells and monocytes from patients with unstable angina
(n = 17) had increased mRNA levels of IL-9 as compared with controls (n = 11). (iv) Carotid plaques (n = 68) showed increased
mRNA levels of IL-9 and IL-9R compared to non-atherosclerotic vessels (n = 10). Co-localization to T cells (IL-9 and IL-9R) and
macrophages (IL-9) were shown by immunohistochemistry. (v) IL-9 increased IL-17 release in peripheral blood mononuclear
cells from patients with unstable angina (n = 5) and healthy controls (n = 5) with a particularly enhancing effect in cells from
the patient group.
Conclusion: Our findings show increased IL-9 levels in different atherosclerotic disorders both systemically and within the
lesion, suggesting a role for the IL-9/IL-9R axis in the atherosclerotic process, potentially involving IL-17 mediated
mechanisms. However, the functional consequences of these findings should be further investigated.
Publisher
Public Library of Science (PLoS)Citation
PLoS ONE (2013). vol. 8(8): e72769.Metadata
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