Altered expression of monocyte and dendritic cell membrane-associated antigens following coronary angiography

Abstract

Introduction Coronary angiography is able to induce a systemic infl ammatory response. We hypothesised that this procedure may aff ect monocyte and dendritic cell count and membrane-associated antigen expression.Methods Blood samples were obtained before and immediately after coronary angiography in twenty patients with stable angina pectoris. Cell enumeration and antigen expression levels were evaluated by fl ow cytometry. Plasma levels of soluble CD14 and interleukin-6 were quantifi ed by ELISA.Results The absolute and relative numbers of circulating monocytes (Mon1, Mon2 and Mon3 subsets) and dendritic cells (myeloid and plasmacytoid subsets) were not signifi cantly diff erent pre- versus post-angiography. Expression of CD14 on Mon1 and Mon2 decreased signifi cantly by 12.01% (P =0.002) and 13.01% (P =0.012), respectively. CD16 expression on Mon2 (+10.53%; P= 0.017) and Mon3 (+12.58%; P< 0.001) increased. CD45 expressed by monocytic and dendritic cells was lowered (-5.80% and P= 0.001, -11.49% and P< 0.001, respectively). The level of plasma IL-6 decreased signifi cantly (P =0.002). The reduction in sCD14 was not signifi cant (P =0.054).Conclusion Coronary angiography leads to changes in surface expression of CD14, CD16 and CD45. These fi ndings underline the importance of blood collection prior to the angiographic procedure when aiming to study the functional analysis of monocyte and dendritic cell numbers by fl ow cytometry.