Interleukin-1 beta, interferon-gamma, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with coronary artery disease

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Several inflammatory mediators have been proposed to contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quantitative expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in un-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cell of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

METHODS

Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) gene expression were evaluated in angiography confirmed patients with and without CAD in a case-control study using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

A significant increase (P = 0.030) in IL-1β gene expression was found in patients with CAD [median interquartile range (IQR) = 4.890 (6.084)] compared to patients without CAD [median (IQR) = 1.792 (3.172)]. Despite the increase in IFN-γ gene expression in patients with CAD [median (IQR) = 1.298 (3.896)] versus patients without CAD [median (IQR) = 0.841 (2.79)], there was not statistically significant difference (P = 0.990).

CONCLUSION

Our results provide evidence for possible association between IL-1β and development of atherosclerosis as a crucial cytokine that induce a network of signaling pathways. This finding if proved in future would suggest IL-1β as a potent therapeutic target in CAD.

Introduction

Several lines of evidence have previously confirmed the contribution of chronic inflammatory process in atherosclerosis.1-3 The Immune responses to accumulation of oxidized lipoproteins in the vessels lead to mobilization of macrophages, dendritic cells, and lymphocytes in areas of disturbed blood flow and secretion of pro-inflammatory, chemokines, and matrix metalloproteinases.4,5 Activation of pro-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and initiation of an immune mediated response from the site of plaque formation in arterial wall making a complex of reactions with a number of immune component being involved in atherosclerosis.6

Innate immune responses beside adaptive immunity have major role in the initiation of atherosclerosis.5 Infiltrating monocytes and macrophages play major role in pro-inflammatory cytokine productions in atherosclerosis in particular expression of IL-1. IL-1 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine which is shown to have important effects on atherosclerotic lesions cellular constitution.7-10

T helper-1 (Th1) cells are the most abundant T cells observed in atherosclerotic plaque.11 Th1 cytokines with interferon-γ (INF-γ) as the prototype of this group are widely accepted as a key regulator of immune mechanisms in atherogenesis.12 Studies have shown that INF-γ reduces vascular smooth muscle proliferation and collagen production. IL-1 and INF-γ upregulate the matrix metalloproteinases expression at the site of plaque formation; result in atherosclerotic plaque instability.12-15

TNF-α is another pro-inflammatory cytokine which is also reported as a potent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.12,15 Association between atherosclerosis and augmented risk of thromboembolic complications has also been attributed to several factors related to TNF-α expression. TNF-α is known as an ultimate mediator of the acute phase response and is involved in production of other inflammatory mediators including chemokines with important role in recruitment of leucocytes to the site of inflammation.16

In this study to further examine the role of IL-1 β, IFN-γ, and TNF-α in pathophysiology of coronary artery diseases (CAD), we compared the expression profile of these cytokines in un-stimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBMCs) of patients with CAD (CAD+) versus their age, sex matched patients without CAD (CAD−).

Materials and Methods

Study subjects have been recruited from individuals who had a history of chest- pain and anginal symptoms that underwent coronary artery angiography at Cath Lab Center of Dr. Shariati Hospital, Tehran, Iran, from February 2008 to March 2010. Trained cardiologists performed the whole procedures of angiography. Study power was been set as 80%. The study group comprised of 25 patients with more than 50% stenosis in all three main coronary arteries (right coronary artery, left anterior descending artery, and the left circumflex coronary artery) were known as CAD+ and 25 sex, age, and smoking habits matched subjects with smooth angiography were categorized as CAD−. Patients with history of percutaneous coronary intervention, arteriovenous graft, familial hypercholesterolemia and congenital defects of the heart valves were excluded. Written informed consent was obtained from all individuals attending the study. Study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. We also completed personal questioner for all the participants and recorded history of diabetes mellitus (DM) (fasting plasma glucose ≥ 126 mg/dl or 2 hours plasma glucose ≥ 200 mg/dl)17 hypertension (HTN) (an average blood pressure of ≥ 140/90 mmHg or history of taking medication for HTN),18 hyperlipidemia [low-density lipoprotein (LDL) ≥ 130 and/or high-density lipoprotein < 40)],19 smoking status (current smoking and/or history of smoking more than one pack/year was defined as smoker) and family history of other cardiovascular disorders such as premature CAD [presence of first elective or emergency coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), first elective or emergency percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), acute myocardial infarction without previous CABG and PTCA in the first degree relative men under 55, and women under 65]20 or myocardial infarction (MI) in first degree relatives.

Five ml peripheral blood was collected from each individual in heparin-containing tubes and was processed for Lymphocytes isolation by Lympholyte-H (Cedarlane Laboratories). RNA was extracted from PBMCs as described by Tripure reagents (Roche) manufacturer’s instructions. RNA pellets were stored at -80 °C after solving into DEPC treated water. RNA solution has been qualified by measuring ratio of optical density (OD) 260/280 on a Nano Drop spectrophotometer (NanoDrop Thermo Scientific 2000), and the solution with OD260/280 ratio < 1.6 was discarded. RNA was reverse transcribed by First Strand cDNA Synthesis Kit (Thermo Science) as the manufacturer recommends.

Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed using SYBR Green PCR Master Mix (Amplicon), primer pairs (Table 1) and an ABI stepOne™ (Applied Biosystems) Real Time PCR machine. Gene expression data were normalized against hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase as a reference gene. Data analysis was performed using Livak formula, 2−ΔΔCT method.21

Table 1.

Primer sequences for real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) quantification

Gene	Primer pair sequences	Amplicon size
HPRT F	5'-CCTGGCGTCGTGATTAGTGAT-3'	131 bp
HPRT R	5'-AGACGTTCAGTCCTGTCCATAA-3'
TNF-α F	5´-CCCAGGCAGTCAGATCATCTTC-3´	85 bp
TNF-α R	5´-AGCTGCCCCTCAGCTTGA-3´
IL-1β F	5'-ATGGCTTATTACAGTGGCAATGAG-3'	138 bp
IL-1β R	5'-GTAGTGGTGG TCGGAGATTCG-3'
INF-γ F	5'-AGCGGATAATGGAACTCTTTTCTTAG-3'	103 bp
INF-γ R	5'-AAGTTTGAAGTAAAAGGAGACAATTTGG-3'

HPRT: Hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase; TNF-α: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha; IL-1β: Interleukin-1 beta; IFN-γ: Interferon-gamma

Test of normality for distribution of variables was performed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Qualitative variables were analysis by chi-square test. Quantitative variables were compared using t-test. Since variables of genes expression levels were not normally distributed, these variables were expressed as well as medians with 25th and 75th percentiles and interquartile range, and comparisons were performed using the Mann-Whitney U-test.

Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software for Windows (version 15, SPSS Inc. Chicago, IL, USA) and P < 0.050 was considered as statistically significant difference.

Results

The means of stenosis in CAD+ was 55% (range 50-90%) and in CAD− was 25% (range 20-45%). Characteristics of cases (range 50-90%) and controls, including age, sex, lipid profiles, and risk factors (e.g. DM, dyslipidemia, HTN, and smoking) are presented in table 2. DM and HTN were more frequent in CAD+ patients (P = 0.050, P = 0.001 respectively). The history of MI which were significantly higher in CAD+ patients compared to their CAD− counter group (P < 0.001), as well as CAD+ patients had higher serum levels of triglyceride (P = 0.044).

Table 2.

Baseline characteristics in subjects with and without coronary artery disease (CAD)

Variable	CAD+ (n = 25)	CAD− (n = 25)	P
Sex* (male) [n (%)]	18 (71)	17 (68)	0.500
Current smokers* [n (%)]	4 (16)	2 (8)	0.384
HTN* [n (%)]	19 (76)	11 (44)	0.050
DM* [n (%)]	14 (56)	2 (8)	0.001
Dyslipidemia	9 (36)	4 (16)	0.070
Past MI* [n (%)]	15 (60)	0 (0)	< 0.001
TChol£	183.40 ± 42.70	184.73 ± 44.24	0.914
TG£	185.43 ± 77.04	148.15 ± 47.10	0.044
LDL£	108.50 ± 36.75	129.27 ± 42.47	0.068
HDL£	40.88 ± 10.86	41.00 ± 8.88	0.623
Age£ (year)	60.19 ± 8.55	59.68 ± 11.01	0.855

CAD: Coronary artery disease; HTN: Hypertension; DM: Diabetes mellitus; Past MI: Past history of myocardial infarction; TChol: Total cholesterol; TG: Triglyceride; LDL: Low-density lipoprotein; HDL: High-density lipoprotein;

^*Comparisons were performed using chi-square analysis;

^£Variables are described based mean ± standard deviation

Medians of genes expression was shown in table 3. A significant increase in expression of IL-1β gene was observed (P = 0.037) in the patients with CAD (CAD+) compared to the patients without CAD (CAD−).

Table 3.

IL-1β, TNF-α and IFN-γ gene expression median (IQR) in CAD+ versus CAD− individuals

Variable	CAD−* (n = 25)	CAD+* (n = 25)	P
IL-1β gene expression**	1.792 (3.172)	4.890 (6.084)	0.037
TNF-α gene expression**	0.841 (2.790)	1.298 (3.896)	0.930
IFN-γ gene expression**	0.946 (1.089)	0.986 (1.121)	0.991

Comparisons were performed using Mann–Whitney U-test;

^*CAD+: Patients with CAD; CAD−: Patients without CAD;

^**Variables are described based median (IQR);

CAD: Coronary artery disease; IL-1β: Interleukin-1 beta; TNF-α: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha; IFN-γ: Interferon-gamma

The level of INF-γ gene expression was higher in CAD+ compared to the CAD- patients; however it was not a significant difference (P = 0.930). We found no significant differences in quantitative expression of TNF-α gene in patients with and without CAD (P = 0.980).

Figures 1a-f, shows melt curve and amplification plot for quantitative analysis of IL-1 IFN and TNF gene expression respectively, using real time PCR analysis (Figure 1a-f).

Figure 1.

(a-f) Melt curve and amplification plot for quantitative analysis of interleukin-1 interferon and tumor necrosis factor gene expression, respectively, using real time polymerase chain reaction analysis

Discussion

In this study, we found a significant increase in IL-1 gene expression in un-stimulated PBMCs of patients with angiography confirmed CAD compared to patients without CAD. However, the results were not significantly different for INF-γ and TNF-α gene expression between these groups. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study which evaluates the quantitative expression of IL-1, IFN-γ, and TNF-a gene in un-stimulated PBMCs of patients with CAD. Compelling data suggested that IL-1β, INF-γ, and TNF-α play an important role in the development of atherosclerosis.22

The involvements of these cytokines are supported by their increased expression in human atherosclerotic plaques.23-27 IL-1β is a pro-inflammatory cytokine which has been previously proposed as a pro-atherogenic element.28,29 The increased expression of IL-1β observed in our study is in line with previous reports supporting the role of IL-1β in acceleration of atherosclerosis.30-38 Recent studies on animal models have shown a significant decrease in the severity of atherosclerosis in IL-1β/ apolipoprotein E (APOE) double knockout mice.39

We did not find a significant difference for expression of TNF-α gene between our groups. Although increased serum levels of TNF-α has been suggested to be associated with increased risk of recurrent MI and age related atherosclerosis,16 however this might not certainly reflect the expression of TNF-α at the mRNA level which has been examined in our study.

We also did not find any significant difference in IFN-γ gene expression in PBMCs of patients with CAD compared to patients without CAD. IFN-γ is a proinflammatory cytokine with pleiotropic biological effects which is reported to be highly expressed by various cell types including macrophages and Th1-cells in atherosclerotic plaques. IFN-γ is proposed to be rather directly or indirectly implicated during atherogenesis. Several animal experiments using APOE-/-mice for modeling atherosclerosis suggested that daily injection of IFN-γ in APOE-/- mice is associated with significant increase in lesion size and number of T-cells within lesion. Furthermore, it has been shown that development of athersclerotic lesion and severity of the phenotype in female and male LDLR-/- mice with IFN-γ deficiencies are significantly decreased.40-42 As our gene expression study was carried out on PBMCs of patients not from the cells obtained from the site of atherosclerotic plaque, therefore, the discrepancies in our finding compared to previous reports might be due to the fact that IFN-γ is produced and initiates its effect at the site of inflammation and might not have a significant role in immune milieu of subjects with atherosclerosis.

The results of this study might indicate the significant role of IL-1β as an atherogenic cytokine in pathogenesis of CAD, and if proved in future study it would be a potential target for treatment of atherosclerosis. Our data shows that IL-1 might be involved in atherosclerosis in a distinct manner compared to INF-γ and TNF-α. However regarding the limitations in our study the data needs to be interpreted with cautious. Previous reports indicate the crucial role of IL-1 receptor antagonist in development of atherosclerosis emphasizing the IL-1/IL-1Ra ratio as an important factor in the process of atherogenesis.43 It has been reported that IL-1Ra-/- knock-out mice are unable to produce cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase enzyme resulting in increased plasma cholesterol levels compared to the normal mice.44 It is known that Pro IL-1β maturation to IL-β is through caspase-1 pathway.45 This process is activated by NALP3-inflammasome.46 A recent study support the fact that cholesterol crystals and oxidized LDL as a ligand might induce NALP3-inflammasome by CD36 cell surface marker, leading to the production of IL-1β consequently. In support of this notion, Sheedy et al. reported decrease of IL-1β serum concentrations after targeting CD36 in atherosclerotic mice.47

Future studies on larger number of samples are required to further clarify the role of pro-inflammatory cytokines particularly IL-1β in pathogenesis of CAD.

Since controls of this study recruited from patients with chest pain and normal angiography, they could assign as cardiac syndrome X.48 It has been shown that degrees of increased inflammation in these patients is responsible for their symptoms, hence loss of significant difference in pro-inflammatory cytokines might be due to probable mild increased inflammation in our controls. In addition, our controls are not matched for DM, TG, and HTN which could have an effect on the cytokines release. Studies on age, sex, and other CAD risk factors matched symptomatic healthy controls (subclinical atherosclerosis should be rolled out) are suggested and could further enhance our findings. Our findings constitute a significant increased IL-1 gene expression in CAD patients which confirms the previously described role of IL-1 in atherosclerosis. This finding in addition to some prognostic implications could be utilized in therapeutic strategies focusing on modulation of inflammatory pathways involved in CAD.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our data reinforce the potential role of the IL-1β as a critical atherosclerotic marker.