[Expression of chemokines and cytokines in atherosclerotic plaques and internal membrane of the arteries in patients with coronary artery disease].

Aim: To analyse contents of leukocytes and chemokines expression cytokines and transforming growth factor beta (TGFB) in atherosclerotic plaques (AP) of coronary arteries and aortic intima of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Material And Methods: The samples of aortic intima and coronary artery tissues were obtained intraoperatively (coronary artery bypass grafting, endarterectomy). Leukocytes were typed immunohistochemically and cytometry in the flow. Gene expression was analysed using reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction.

Results: AP of the coronary arteries and macroscopically unaffected fragments of aortic imtima contained leukocytes. All the samples contained mRNA of chemokines SDF- 1 and MCP-3. Two groups of the plaques were identified by chemokines expression. Group I AP had marked expression of TGFB, chemokines SDF-1, MCP-3, MIG, I-309, MCP-1, MIP-1beta, I-TAC, RANTES and IL-13. Group II AP had mRNA of the proteins only in single samples. Intima samples free of morphological signs of atherosclerotic lesion contained mRNA of proinflammatory chemokines MIG, I-309, IL-13, had no expression of TGFB.

Conclusion: In IHD patients arterial intima free of macroscopic visual affection may be a site of developing inflammation. AP differ by chemokines expression, cytokines, TGFB. The differences may indicate different stages or mechanisms of AP formation.