Surface expression of fractalkine receptor (CX3CR1) on CD4+/CD28 T cells in RA patients and correlation with atherosclerotic damage.

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with accelerated atherosclerosis. Fractalkine, a CX3C/chemokine (CX3CL1), mediates monocytes-macrophage infiltration in activated endothelium, suggesting its specific role in atherosclerosis-related inflammation. In this study, we evaluate the following in early RA patients: the expression of fractalkine receptor (CX3CR1) on CD4+/CD28- T cells, a subset involved in atherosclerotic infiltration; the correlation between this subset and validated markers of early atherosclerosis. CD4+ T cells were isolated by immunomagnetics beads in 50 early RA patients and 26 healthy controls (HC). After isolation, CD4+/CD28-/CX3CR1+ T lymphocytes were assessed by FACS analysis. Endothelial dysfunction was evaluated by both carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and flow-mediated vasodilation (FMV). We observed: a higher expansion of CD4+/CD28- subset in RA patients when compared to HC (7.7%, 5.15-9.7 vs. 0.7%, 0.2-1.5, P < 0.01; respectively); this expansion directly correlated with increased IMT (0.91 mm, 0.5-1.3 vs. 0.7 mm, 0.2-1, P < 0.01; RA vs. C, respectively) and inversely correlated with FMV (3.5%, 1.7-7 vs. 9%, 3.5-11, P < 0.01; RA vs. C, respectively); the large majority of CD4+/CD28-, in RA, coexpressed CX3CR1 (93%, 67-99 vs. 30%, 10-48, P < 0.01; RA vs. C, respectively); this expansion significantly correlated with both the parameters of premature vascular damage and DAS 28. Our data suggest that CX3CL1/CX3CR1 axis might play a role in the induction and development of the endothelial dysfunction during RA.

• Authors: Elisa Pingiotti, Paola Cipriani, Alessandra Marrelli, Vasiliki Liakouli, Simona Fratini, Maria Penco, Roberto Giacomelli
• Journal: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences (Ann N Y Acad Sci) Vol. 1107 Pg. 32-41 (Jun 2007) ISSN: 0077-8923 [Print] United States
• PMID: 17804530 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• CD28 Antigens
• CX3C Chemokine Receptor 1
• CX3CR1 protein, human
• Receptors, Chemokine

Topics

• Arthritis, Rheumatoid (complications, metabolism, pathology)
• Atherosclerosis (complications, metabolism, pathology)
• CD28 Antigens (metabolism)
• CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes (metabolism)
• CX3C Chemokine Receptor 1
• Humans
• Receptors, Chemokine (metabolism)