HLA-DR1, Circulating Th1/Th2 Cytokines and Immunological Homunculus in Coronary Atherosclerosis

Coronary  atherosclerotic  disease  is  one  of  the  most  endangering  health  disorder worldwide. This study was designed to investigate the correlation between HLA-DRβ1 alleles and circulating Th1/Th2 type cytokines in coronary atherosclerosis. By Elisa, Th1/Th2 type cytokines were determined in serum samples of 31 subjects with unstable angina, 27 subjects with chronic stable angina and 24 individuals as normal control. By SSP-PCR, more than 100 alleles of HLA-DRB1 were typed in 24 subjects who had skewed serum levels of Th1/Th2 type cytokines. Lipid profiles were determined by the routine methods of clinical laboratory in all subjects. The  mean  serum  concentration  of  IL-10  in  normal  control  subjects  was  higher  in comparison to the patient groups.0.33±0.59 pg/ml versus 0.064±0.3 pg/ml in unstable angina pectoris group (p<0.028) and 0.22±0.6 pg/ml in chronic stable subjects. There was no statistically significant difference among the groups in serum levels of other desired cytokines  (IFN-γ,  IL-4).  33.33%  of  normal  control  subjects  were  HLA-DR16  positive whereas none of the subjects with chronic stable angina or individuals with unstable angina pectoris was positive for this antigen. The mean concentration of serum LDL-cholesterol in normal control group was high 142.046±35.40 (pg/ml). This preliminary study shows that the atherogenic effect of the LDL- cholesterol may be dampened by HDL-cholesterol through anti inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and HLA-DR16, a phenomenon interpretable via immunological homunculus theory.