RT Journal Article
T1 CD28null pro-atherogenic CD4 T-cells explain the link between CMV infection and an increased risk of cardiovascular death.
A1 Pera, Alejandra
A1 Caserta, Stefano
A1 Albanese, Fabio
A1 Blowers, Pinar
A1 Morrow, George
A1 Terrazzini, Nadia
A1 Smith, Helen E
A1 Rajkumar, Chakravarthi
A1 Reus, Bernhard
A1 Msonda, James R
A1 Verboom, Murielle
A1 Hallensleben, Michael
A1 Blasczyk, Rainer
A1 Davies, Kevin A
A1 Kern, Florian
K1 CD28null CD4 T-cells
K1 CD28null CD8 T-cells
K1 Cytomegalovirus
K1 Aging
K1 Cardiovascular disease
K1 Coronary complications
AB An increased risk of cardiovascular death in Cytomegalovirus (CMV)-infected individuals remains unexplained, although it might partly result from the fact that CMV infection is closely associated with the accumulation of CD28null T-cells, in particular CD28null CD4 T-cells. These cells can directly damage endothelium and precipitate cardiovascular events. However, the current paradigm holds that the accumulation of CD28null T-cells is a normal consequence of aging, whereas the link between these T-cell populations and CMV infection is explained by the increased prevalence of this infection in older people. Resolving whether CMV infection or aging triggers CD28null T-cell expansions is of critical importance because, unlike aging, CMV infection can be treated. Methods: We used multi-color flow-cytometry, antigen-specific activation assays, and HLA-typing to dissect the contributions of CMV infection and aging to the accumulation of CD28null CD4 and CD8 T-cells in CMV+ and CMV- individuals aged 19 to 94 years. Linear/logistic regression was used to test the effect of sex, age, CMV infection, and HLA-type on CD28null T-cell frequencies. Results: The median frequencies of CD28null CD4 T-cells and CD28null CD8 T-cells were >12-fold (p=0.000) but only approximately 2-fold higher (p=0.000), respectively, in CMV+ (n=136) compared with CMV- individuals (n=106). The effect of CMV infection on these T-cell subsets was confirmed by linear regression. Unexpectedly, aging contributed only marginally to an increase in CD28null T-cell frequencies, and only in CMV+ individuals. Interestingly, the presence of HLA-DRB1*0301 led to an approximately 9-fold reduction of the risk of having CD28null CD4 T-cell expansions (OR=0.108, p=0.003). Over 75% of CMV-reactive CD4 T-cells were CD28null. Conclusion: CMV infection and HLA type are major risk factors for CD28null CD4 T-cell-associated cardiovascular pathology. Increased numbers of CD28null CD8 T-cells are also associated with CMV infection, but to a lesser extent. Aging, however, makes only a negligible contribution to the expansion of these T-cell subsets, and only in the presence of CMV infection. Our results open up new avenues for risk assessment, prevention, and treatment.
PB Ivyspring International Publisher
YR 2018
FD 2018-07-18
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10668/12942
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10668/12942
LA en
NO Pera A, Caserta S, Albanese F, Blowers P, Morrow G, Terrazzini N, et al. CD28null pro-atherogenic CD4 T-cells explain the link between CMV infection and an increased risk of cardiovascular death. Theranostics. 2018 Aug 7;8(16):4509-4519
DS RISalud
RD Apr 11, 2025