AUTHOR=Wang Yin , Li Wenming , Zhao Tingrui , Zou Yao , Deng Tao , Yang Zhangyou , Yuan Zhiyi , Ma Limei , Yu Ruihong , Wang Tingting , Yu Chao TITLE=Interleukin-17-Producing CD4+ T Cells Promote Inflammatory Response and Foster Disease Progression in Hyperlipidemic Patients and Atherosclerotic Mice JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine VOLUME=8 YEAR=2021 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cardiovascular-medicine/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2021.667768 DOI=10.3389/fcvm.2021.667768 ISSN=2297-055X ABSTRACT=
Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease. Interleukin-17-producing CD4+ T cells (Th17 cells) play important roles in the progression of atherosclerosis. However, most of the studies were focused on the advanced stage of atherosclerosis. In the current study, we investigated the roles of Th17 cells, relevant mechanisms in hyperlipidemic patients, and different stages of atherosclerotic mice. Human blood samples were collected, and percentages of Th17 cells, macrophages, and neutrophils were analyzed by flow cytometry. ApoE−/− mice were fed with high-fat diet (HFD) and sacrificed at different time points to evaluate the infiltration of inflammatory cells at different stages of atherosclerosis. Furthermore, essential mechanisms of IL-17A in atherosclerotic inflammatory milieu formation were studied