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AIMTo investigate T-cell activation, the percentage of peripheral T regulatory cells (Tregs), Th17 cells and the circulating cytokine profile in systemic sclerosis (SSc).METHODSWe enrolled a total of 24 SSc patients and 16 healthy controls in the study and divided the patients as having diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc, n = 13) or limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc, n = 11). We performed a further subdivision of the patients regarding the stage of the disease - early, intermediate or late. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from all subjects. We performed flow cytometric analysis of the activation capacity of T-lymphocytes upon stimulation with PHA-M and of the percentage of peripheral Tregs and Th17 cells in both patients and healthy controls. We used ELISA to quantitate serum levels of human interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, tissue growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and IL-17A.RESULTSWe identified a decreased percentage of CD3+CD69+ cells in PHA-stimulated samples from SSc patients in comparison with healthy controls (13.35% ± 2.90% vs 37.03% ± 2.33%, P < 0.001). However, we did not establish a correlation between the down-regulated CD3+CD69+ cells and the clinical subset, nor regarding the stage of the disease. The activated CD4+CD25+ peripheral lymphocytes were represented in decreased percentage in patients when compared to controls (6.30% ± 0.68% vs 9.36% ± 1.08%, P = 0.016). Regarding the forms of the disease, dcSSc patients demonstrated lower frequency of CD4+CD25+ T cells against healthy subjects (5.95% ± 0.89% vs 9.36% ± 1.08%, P = 0.025). With regard to Th17 cells, our patients demonstrated increased percentage in comparison with controls (18.13% ± 1.55% vs 13.73% ± 1.21%, P = 0.031). We detected up-regulated Th17 cells within the lcSSc subset against controls (20.46% ± 2.41% vs 13.73% ± 1.21%, P = 0.025), nevertheless no difference was found between dcSSc and lcSSc patients. Flow cytometric analysis revealed an increased percentage of CD4+CD25-Foxp3+ in dcSSc patients compared to controls (10.94% ± 1.65% vs 6.88% ± 0.91, P = 0.032). Regarding the peripheral cytokine profile, we detected raised levels of IL-6 [2.10 (1.05-4.60) pg/mL vs 0.00 pg/mL, P < 0.001], TGF-β1 (19.94 ± 3.35 ng/mL vs 10.03 ± 2.25 ng/mL, P = 0.02), IL-10 (2.83 ± 0.44 pg/mL vs 0.68 ± 0.51 pg/mL, P = 0.008), and IL-17A [6.30 (2.50-15.60) pg/mL vs 0 (0.00-0.05) pg/mL, P < 0.001] in patients when compared to healthy controls. Furthermore, we found increased circulating IL-10, TGF-β, IL-6 and IL-17A in the lcSSc subset vs control subjects, as it follows: IL-10 (3.32 ± 0.59 pg/mL vs 0.68 ± 0.51 pg/mL, P = 0.003), TGF-β1 (22.82 ± 4.99 ng/mL vs 10.03 ± 2.25 ng/mL, P = 0.031), IL-6 [2.08 (1.51-4.69) pg/mL vs 0.00 pg/mL, P < 0.001], and IL-17A [14.50 (8.55-41.65) pg/mL vs 0.00 (0.00-0.05) pg/mL, P < 0.001]. Furthermore, circulating IL-17A was higher in lcSSc as opposed to dcSSc subset (31.99 ± 13.29 pg/mL vs 7.14 ± 3.01 pg/mL, P = 0.008). Within the dcSSc subset, raised levels of IL-17A and IL-6 were detected vs healthy controls: IL-17A [2.60 (0.45-9.80)...

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Background and aimsIn recent years, it is found that role in atherogenesis plays inflammatory component of immune response. In recent years found unarguably data for accelerated development of atherosclerotic plaques in patients with APS.Our aim is to investigate the frequency of cardiovascular events and atherosclerosis in patients with primary and secondary antiphospholipid syndrome compared to healthy individuals and patients with systemic lupus erythematosus without antiphospholipid antibodies.MethodsWe studied 99 patients with APS, 13 SLE and 32 healthy controls. They were tested for aPL antibodies (aCL,anti-b2gp1, anti-prothrombin), ANA-screen, ANA - profile and standart laboratory.We examine Intima-Media thickness of carotit arteries and Calcium score of: a. coronaria sinister, a. anterior descendens sinister, a. circumflexa sinister, a. coronaria dexter, Aorta, Valvaorte to validate the atheroslerosis.ResultsWe found strong, statistically significant correlation between aCL antibodies and the presence of plaques in the left common carotid artery (p=0.041) and absent a correlation between aPL titers and presence of carotid plaques. In the group with APS, 33,3% (14) establishes a positive calcium score of coronary artheries, 11.9% (5) positive for aorta, Aortic valve Absent deposits, In the control group positive calcium score is one person (5.88%).ConclusionsIt was established the relationship of antiphospholipid syndrome with the process of atherosclerosis.The presence of atherosclerotic plaques is not associated with traditional risk factors.Not establish a connexion between antiphospholipid antibodies and IMT.Proven connexion between aCL and carotid plaques.Not establish correlation between aPL and Ca score.Persons with APS have a higher incidence of Calcium score versus healthy controls.