The expression of NKT like cells and NK cells in the peripheral blood among patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM)

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Dilated cardiomyopathy is associated with various immunological abnormalities, such as decreases in the activity and subsets of suppressor T cells and in the activity of natural killer cells, suggesting the involvement of immunological mechanisms in the pathogenesis of this disease. However, the role of NKT like cells and NK cells in the pathogenesis of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy remains still uncertain. The aim of the study was to compare the frequencies of peripheral NKT like cells and NK cells among patients with IDCM to healthy controls. Methods The frequencies of NKT like cells and NK cells were measured by flow of cytometry among 50 patients with IDCM from Cardiology Clinic in Lublin. The control group consisted of 50 healthy sex- and age- matched volunteers. The diagnosis of IDCM was based on the common known ESC Guidenlines 2018 criteria. Statistical analysis of the results was conducted using IBM program. A value of p less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The frequency (%) (mean ± SD) of NK cells (CD3+/CD16+CD56+) was significantly lower (p≤0.001) in IDCM group (12.0±4.5) when compared to control group (15.6±3.4). The frequency (%) (mean ± SD) of NK T like cells (CD3+/CD16+CD56+) was significantly elevated (p≤0,04) in IDCM group (4,66±3,4) in comparison to the control group (3,23±1,7). Conclusions Our findings of the abnormalities in immune cells distribution in peripheral blood of IDCM patients suggest that IDCM development and progression is related to the dysregulation of the immune system. The decreases in the activity in the NK cells among patients with IDCM might indicate chronic myocarditis and lymphocyte infiltration in the myocardium. Moreover, the elevation of NKT like cells could be a result of prolonged exposure to pathogen in which TCD3+ cells become involved more than less mature NK cells in engaging specific immunity response. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Private hospital(s). Main funding source(s): Medical University in Lublin, Grant for Young Reserchers