PSGL-1-expressing CD4 T cells induce endothelial cell apoptosis in perimenopausal women.

Aim: Menopause and subsequent estrogen deficiency correlate with the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases in women. However, the relationship between estrogen deficiency and development of atherosclerosis with inflammatory infiltrates is not fully understood. We sought to determine whether perimenopausal women (PMW) exhibited T cell dysfunction related to the expression of adhesion molecules and accelerated endothelial cell (EC) apoptosis.

Statins reduce endothelial cell apoptosis via inhibition of TRAIL expression on activated CD4 T cells in acute coronary syndrome.

Objective: Statins reduce cardiovascular-related morbidity and mortality, but their effects on inflammation in atherosclerosis are not fully understood. We investigated whether statins can modulate cytotoxic functions of CD4 T cells in acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Methods And Results: Fresh CD4 T cells were isolated from 55 patients with ACS without statin treatment on admission and from 34 age-matched controls.