Dynamic assessment of T-lymphocytes and humoral immunity in patients with acute coronary syndrome, with and without COVID-19, depending on the content of CD3⁺CD8⁺T-lymphocytes

Abstract

Objective: to evaluate the dynamics of the T- and B-cell immunity in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who have and have not had COVID-19, depending on the number of CD3+CD8+T-lymphocytes.Materials and methods: 65 men with ACS who underwent coronary artery stenting were examined. Immunological parameters were studied using flow cytometry, a complete blood count at baseline and 28 days after admission.Results: The maximum troponin level was observed in individuals with ACS who had recovered from COVID-19 and had a normal level of CD3+CD8+T cells. Stent thromboses and deaths occurred only among patients with a history of COVID-19, mainly with reduced CD3+CD8+T-cells, for which indicators of immune status were determined over time. The absolute numbers of T lymphocytes, T helper cells, late activated T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes (CD3-CD19+CD5+), B lymphocytes (CD45+CD3-CD19+) were minimal in individuals with low CD3+CD8+ T lymphocytes who had previously suffered from COVID-19, and significantly increased in their dynamics after 28 days. Natural killer cells significantly increased in dynamics in patients with initially low and normal CD3+CD8+T-lymphocytes who suffered from COVID-19.Conclusions: after stenting of the coronary arteries over time, in people with reduced CD3+CD8+Tlymphocytes and patients with COVID-19, T-lymphocytes (CD45+CD3+CD19-), T-helper cells, CD3+CD8+T-lymphocytes significantly increased, T-NK lymphocytes, NK lymphocytes, late-activated T-lymphocytes, T-regulatory lymphocytes and late-activated T-regulatory cells, B-lymphocytes, immunoglobulin G and complement fragment C3a decreased. T-regulatory lymphocytes and late-activated T-regulatory cells were significantly reduced in patients without prior COVID-19 with baseline low CD3+CD8+T-lymphocytes. In individuals with normal CD3+CD8+T-lymphocytes who recovered from COVID-19, T-lymphocytes (CD45+CD3+CD19-), NK-lymphocytes, and late-activated T-lymphocytes increased over time.

Keywords

• covid-19
• acute coronary syndrome
• coronary artery stenting
• t lymphocytes
• humoral immunity