The "Intermediate" CD14CD16 monocyte subset increases in severe peripheral artery disease in humans.

Monocytes are key players in atherosclerotic. Human monocytes display a considerable heterogeneity and at least three subsets can be distinguished. While the role of monocyte subset heterogeneity has already been well investigated in coronary artery disease (CAD), the knowledge about monocytes and their heterogeneity in peripheral artery occlusive disease (PAOD) still is limited.

Increased intermediate CD14CD16 monocyte subset levels associate with restenosis after peripheral percutaneous transluminal angioplasty.

Background And Aims: We aimed at studying the association of three major human monocyte subsets after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in patients with femoropopliteal disease.

Methods: We prospectively studied 67 sequential patients (40 male, 27 female; mean age 71 ± 11 years) treated with femoropopliteal angioplasty. Multi-color flow cytometry characterized monocyte subsets from venous blood for expression of CD14 and CD16 and intracellular myeloperoxidase (MPO) prior to, and 3, 6 and 12 months post PTA.