Angiogenic T Cells: Potential Biomarkers for the Early Diagnosis of Interstitial Lung Disease in Autoimmune Diseases?

oleh: Verónica Pulito-Cueto, Sara Remuzgo-Martínez, Fernanda Genre, Belén Atienza-Mateo, Víctor M. Mora-Cuesta, David Iturbe-Fernández, Leticia Lera-Gómez, Javier Rodriguez-Carrio, Diana Prieto-Peña, Virginia Portilla, Ricardo Blanco, Alfonso Corrales, Oreste Gualillo, José M. Cifrián, Raquel López-Mejías, Miguel A. González-Gay

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2022-04-01

Deskripsi

(1) Background: We explored, for the first time, the contribution of angiogenic T cells (TAng) in interstitial lung disease associated to autoimmune disease (AD-ILD<sup>+</sup>) as potential biomarkers of the disease, evaluating their role in the underlying vasculopathy and lung fibrosis. Additionally, the relationship of TAng with clinical manifestations and cellular and molecular endothelial dysfunction-related biomarkers was assessed. (2) Methods: We included 57 AD-ILD<sup>+</sup> patients (21 with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-ILD<sup>+</sup>, 21 with systemic sclerosis (SSc)-ILD<sup>+</sup> and 15 with other AD-ILD<sup>+</sup>) and three comparative groups: 45 AD-ILD<sup>−</sup> patients (25 RA-ILD<sup>−</sup> and 20 SSc-ILD<sup>−</sup>); 21 idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients; 21 healthy controls (HC). TAng were considered as CD3<sup>+</sup>CD184<sup>+</sup>CD31<sup>+</sup> by flow cytometry. (3) Results: A similar TAng frequency was found between AD-ILD<sup>+</sup> and IPF, being in both cases lower than that observed in AD-ILD<sup>−</sup> and HC. A lower TAng frequency was associated with negative Scl-70 status and lower FEV1/FVC ratio in SSc-ILD<sup>+</sup>, as well as with men in RA-ILD<sup>+</sup> and non-specific interstitial pneumonia radiological pattern in other AD-ILD<sup>+</sup>. No relationship between TAng and endothelial progenitor cells, endothelial cells and vascular endothelial growth factor gene expression and protein levels was disclosed. (4) Conclusions: Our findings suggest TAng as potential biomarkers for the early diagnosis of ILD in AD.