Biomedicines (Apr 2022)

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

  • 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

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines10040851
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10, no. 4
p. 851

Abstract

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(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+) 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+ patients (21 with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-ILD+, 21 with systemic sclerosis (SSc)-ILD+ and 15 with other AD-ILD+) and three comparative groups: 45 AD-ILD− patients (25 RA-ILD− and 20 SSc-ILD−); 21 idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients; 21 healthy controls (HC). TAng were considered as CD3+CD184+CD31+ by flow cytometry. (3) Results: A similar TAng frequency was found between AD-ILD+ and IPF, being in both cases lower than that observed in AD-ILD− and HC. A lower TAng frequency was associated with negative Scl-70 status and lower FEV1/FVC ratio in SSc-ILD+, as well as with men in RA-ILD+ and non-specific interstitial pneumonia radiological pattern in other AD-ILD+. 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.

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