IL-17 and IFN-γ Productions by CD4+ T cells and T cell Subsets Expressing NKG2D Associated with the Number of Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Diseases

Wisitsak Phoksawat; Amonrat Jumnainsong; Kanda Sornkayasit; Kanoungnit Srisak; Nantarat Komanasin; Chanvit Leelayuwat

doi:10.1016/j.molimm.2020.04.003

IL-17 and IFN-γ Productions by CD4+ T cells and T cell Subsets Expressing NKG2D Associated with the Number of Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Diseases

Mol Immunol. 2020 May 6:122:193-199. doi: 10.1016/j.molimm.2020.04.003. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Wisitsak Phoksawat¹, Amonrat Jumnainsong², Kanda Sornkayasit³, Kanoungnit Srisak⁴, Nantarat Komanasin⁵, Chanvit Leelayuwat⁶

Affiliations

¹ Graduate School, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand; The Centre for Research and Development of Medical Diagnostic Laboratories (CMDL), Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand; The Centre for Innovation and Standard of Medical Technology and Physical Therapy (CISMaP), Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand. Electronic address: wisitsakphok@kkumail.com.
² The Centre for Research and Development of Medical Diagnostic Laboratories (CMDL), Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand; The Centre for Innovation and Standard of Medical Technology and Physical Therapy (CISMaP), Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand; Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Sciences, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand. Electronic address: amonrat@kku.ac.th.
³ Graduate School, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand; The Centre for Research and Development of Medical Diagnostic Laboratories (CMDL), Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand. Electronic address: kandas@kkumail.com.
⁴ Graduate School, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand; The Centre for Research and Development of Medical Diagnostic Laboratories (CMDL), Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand. Electronic address: kanoungnit.sri@kkumail.com.
⁵ Department of Clinical Microscopy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand; Cardiovascular Research Group, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand. Electronic address: nankom@kku.ac.th.
⁶ The Centre for Research and Development of Medical Diagnostic Laboratories (CMDL), Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand; The Centre for Innovation and Standard of Medical Technology and Physical Therapy (CISMaP), Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand; Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Sciences, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand. Electronic address: chanvit@kku.ac.th.

PMID: 32388074
DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2020.04.003

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which are major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, are characterized by complicated chronic inflammatory manifestation inducing from multi-risk factors. Previously, we have identified a pathological T cell subpopulation producing interleukin (IL)-17 in diabetes. We hypothesized that this T cell subpopulation could exist in the elderly with persistence low grade inflammation related to the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Thus, we investigated whether high levels of the natural group 2, member D (NKG2D) expression, IL-17 and interferon (IFN)-γ production by CD4 + T cells and T cell subsets were more prevalent in individuals who had age ≥ 60 years with > 2 risk factors for CVD (dyslipidemia, hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus) compared to subjects who had < 2 risk factors. Using flow cytometric analysis, we found that CD4 + T cells of subjects who had ≥ 2 risk factors had significantly higher NKG2D expression than those of subjects with < 2 risk factors (P = 0.023). Apparently, CD4+CD28^null T subset of both two groups preferentially expressed NKG2D, and prominently produced IL-17 and IFN-γ compared to the CD4+CD28+ T subset. Expectedly, there was a statistical significance of IL-17 and IFN-γ production of CD4 + 28^nullNKG2D + T cells (P = 0.037 and P = 0.042, respectively). We concluded that cumulative number of CVD risk factors associated with progressive alteration of CD4+ T cell phenotypes and their functions. Handling of metabolic risk factors may be an approach for healthcare of the elderly to prevent cardiovascular morbidity resulting from alteration of immunity.

Keywords: CD4+T subsets; IFN-γ; IL-17; NKG2D; cardiovascular diseases risk factors.