Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Reveals an Immune Landscape of CD4+ T Cells in Coronary Culprit Plaques With Acute Coronary Syndrome in Humans-Brief Report.

BACKGROUND: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) involves plaque-related thrombosis, causing primary ischemic cardiomyopathy or lethal arrhythmia. We previously demonstrated a unique immune landscape of myeloid cells in the culprit plaques causing ACS by using single-cell RNA sequencing. Here, we aimed to characterize T cells in a single-cell level, assess clonal expansion of T cells, and find a therapeutic target to prevent ACS. METHODS: We obtained the culprit lesion plaques from 4 patients with chronic coronary syndrome (chronic coronary syndrome plaques) and the culprit lesion plaques from 3 patients with ACS (ACS plaques) who were candidates for percutaneous coronary intervention with directional coronary atherectomy. Live CD45+ immune cells were sorted from each pooled plaque samples and applied to the 10× platform for single-cell RNA sequencing analysis. We also extracted RNA from other 3 ACS plaque samples and conducted unbiased TCR (T-cell receptor) repertoire analysis. RESULTS: CD4+ T cells were divided into 5 distinct clusters: effector, naive, cytotoxic, CCR7+ (C-C chemokine receptor type 7) central memory, and FOXP3 (forkhead box P3)+ regulatory CD4+ T cells. The proportion of central memory CD4+ T cells was higher in the ACS plaques. Correspondingly, dendritic cells also tended to express more HLAs (human leukocyte antigens) and costimulatory molecules in the ACS plaques. The velocity analysis suggested the differentiation flow from central memory CD4+ T cells into effector CD4+ T cells and that from naive CD4+ T cells into central memory CD4+ T cells in the ACS plaques, which were not observed in the chronic coronary syndrome plaques. The bulk repertoire analysis revealed clonal expansion of TCRs in each patient with ACS and suggested that several peptides in the ACS plaques work as antigens and induced clonal expansion of CD4+ T cells. CONCLUSIONS: For the first time, we revealed single cell-level characteristics of CD4+ T cells in patients with ACS. CD4+ T cells could be therapeutic targets of ACS. REGISTRATION: URL: https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/icdr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000046521; Unique identifier: UMIN000040747.

Overview of the 88th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Circulation Society (JCS2024)　- The Future of Cardiology - Challenges in Overcoming Cardiovascular Disease.

The 88thAnnual Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Circulation Society (JCS2024) was held from Friday, March 8thto Sunday, March 10thin Kobe, Japan. The main theme of this 3-day meeting was "The Future of Cardiology: Challenges in Overcoming Cardiovascular Disease". As COVID-19 has been finally conquered, with revision of its categorization under the Infectious Disease Control Law and relaxation of infection prevention measures, it was once again possible to have face-to-face presentations and lively discussion. JCS2024 was a major success, with 19,209 participants and attendees, thanks to the greatly appreciated cooperation and support from all affiliates.

Evaluation of the Impact of ABCDEF Bundle Compliance Rates on Postintensive Care Syndrome: A Secondary Analysis Study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the association between ABCDEF bundles and long-term postintensive care syndrome (PICS)-related outcomes. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of the J-PICS study. SETTING: This study was simultaneously conducted in 14 centers and 16 ICUs in Japan between April 1, 2019, and September 30, 2019. PATIENTS: Adult ICU patients who were expected to be on a ventilator for at least 48 hours. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Bundle compliance for the last 24 hours was recorded using a checklist at 8:00 am The bundle compliance rate was defined as the 3-day average of the number of bundles performed each day divided by the total number of bundles. The relationship between the bundle compliance rate and PICS prevalence (defined by the 36-item Short Form Physical Component Scale, Mental Component Scale, and Short Memory Questionnaire) was examined. A total of 191 patients were included in this study. Of these, 33 patients (17.3%) died in-hospital and 48 (25.1%) died within 6 months. Of the 96 patients with 6-month outcome data, 61 patients (63.5%) had PICS and 35 (36.5%) were non-PICS. The total bundle compliance rate was 69.8%; the rate was significantly lower in the 6-month mortality group (66.6% vs 71.6%, p = 0.031). Bundle compliance rates in patients with and without PICS were 71.3% and 69.9%, respectively ( p = 0.61). After adjusting for confounding variables, bundle compliance rates were not significantly different in the context of PICS prevalence ( p = 0.56). A strong negative correlation between the bundle compliance rate and PICS prevalence ( r = -0.84, R 2 = 0.71, p = 0.035) was observed in high-volume centers. CONCLUSIONS: The bundle compliance rate was not associated with PICS prevalence. However, 6-month mortality was lower with a higher bundle compliance rate. A trend toward a lower PICS prevalence was associated with higher bundle compliance in high-volume centers.

Circulating intermediate monocytes and atrial structural remodeling associated with atrial fibrillation recurrence after catheter ablation.

BACKGROUND: Inflammation, such as that associated with intermediate CD14++ CD16+ monocytes and atrial structural remodeling (SRM), may be important in the recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after catheter ablation. However, the relationship between the intermediate CD14++ CD16+ monocytes, SRM, and AF recurrence is unclear. METHODS: Twenty-four patients with AF were enrolled. The proportion of intermediate monocytes (PIM) was assessed before ablation by flow cytometry. As a surrogate marker of SRM, the volume ratio (VR) of signal intensity greater than 1 standard deviation on late-gadolinium enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (LGE-MRI) was calculated. We investigated whether PIM correlated with SRM on LGE-MRI and determined the optimal cutoff value for predicting AF recurrence. RESULTS: Univariate analysis revealed positive correlations between PIM and BNP with SRM (PIM: r = .593, p = .002; BNP: r = .567, p = .004). Multivariable analysis revealed that PIM was independently associated with VR on LGE-MRI (ß = .522; p = .033). The finding of an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.750 revealed that a VR ≥ 13.3% on LGE-MRI as the optimal cutoff value to predict AF recurrence with 80% sensitivity and 71% specificity, which was associated with PIM ≥ 10.0%. CONCLUSION: Intermediate monocytes were significantly positively correlated with SRM. PIM ≥ 10% was associated with a VR ≥ 13.3% on LGE-MRI, which predicted AF recurrence after catheter ablation.

Prevalence of post-intensive care syndrome among Japanese intensive care unit patients: a prospective, multicenter, observational J-PICS study.

BACKGROUND: Many studies have compared quality of life of post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) patients with age-matched population-based controls. Many studies on PICS used the 36-item Short Form (SF-36) health survey questionnaire version 2, but lack the data for SF-36 values before and after intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Thus, clinically important changes in the parameters of SF-36 are unknown. Therefore, we determined the frequency of co-occurrence of PICS impairments at 6 months after ICU admission. We also evaluated the changes in SF-36 subscales and interpreted the patients' subjective significance of impairment. METHODS: A prospective, multicenter, observational cohort study was conducted in 16 ICUs across 14 hospitals in Japan. Adult ICU patients expected to receive mechanical ventilation for > 48 h were enrolled, and their 6-month outcome was assessed using the questionnaires. PICS definition was based on the physical status, indicated by the change in SF-36 physical component score (PCS) ≥ 10 points; mental status, indicated by the change in SF-36 mental component score (MCS) ≥ 10 points; and cognitive function, indicated by the worsening of Short-Memory Questionnaire (SMQ) score and SMQ score at 6 months < 40. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify the factors associated with PICS occurrence. The patients' subjective significance of physical and mental symptoms was assessed using the 7-scale Global Assessment Rating to evaluate minimal clinically important difference (MCID). RESULTS: Among 192 patients, 48 (25%) died at 6 months. Among the survivors at 6 months, 96 patients responded to the questionnaire; ≥ 1 PICS impairment occurred in 61 (63.5%) patients, and ≥ 2 occurred in 17 (17.8%) patients. Physical, mental, and cognitive impairments occurred in 32.3%, 14.6% and 37.5% patients, respectively. Population with only mandatory education was associated with PICS occurrence (odds ratio: 4.0, 95% CI 1.1-18.8, P = 0.029). The MCID of PCS and MCS scores was 6.5 and 8.0, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Among the survivors who received mechanical ventilation, 64% had PICS at 6 months; co-occurrence of PICS impairments occurred in 20%. PICS was associated with population with only mandatory education. Future studies elucidating the MCID of SF-36 scores among ICU patients and standardizing the PICS definition are required. Trial registration UMIN000034072.

Gut microbial composition in patients with atrial fibrillation: effects of diet and drugs.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) reduces the quality of life by triggering stroke and heart failure. The association between AF onset and gut metabolites suggests a causal relationship between AF and gut microbiota dysbiosis; however, the relationship remains poorly understood. We prospectively enrolled 34 hospitalized patients with AF and 66 age-, sex-, and comorbidity-matched control subjects without a history of AF. Gut microbial compositions were evaluated by amplicon sequencing targeting the 16S ribosomal RNA gene. We assessed differences in dietary habits by using a brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire (BDHQ). Gut microbial richness was lower in AF patients, although the diversity of gut microbiota did not differ between the two groups. At the genus level, Enterobacter was depleted, while Parabacteroides, Lachnoclostridium, Streptococcus, and Alistipes were enriched in AF patients compared to control subjects. The BDHQ revealed that the intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and eicosadienoic acid was higher in AF patients. Our results suggested that AF patients had altered gut microbial composition in connection with dietary habits.

Preoperative frailty affects postoperative complications, exercise capacity, and home discharge rates after surgical and transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Assessment of frailty is important for risk stratification among the elderly with severe aortic stenosis (AS) when considering interventions such as surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) or transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). However, evidence of the impact of preoperative frailty on short-term postoperative outcomes or functional recovery is limited. This retrospective study included 234 consecutive patients with severe AS who underwent SAVR or TAVR at Kobe University Hospital between Dec 2013 and Dec 2019. Primary outcomes were postoperative complications, postoperative 6-min walking distance (6MWD), and home discharge rates. The mean age was 82 ± 6.6 years. There were 169 (SAVR: 80, TAVR: 89) and 65 (SAVR: 20, TAVR: 45) patients in the non-frail and frail groups, respectively (p = 0.02). The postoperative complication rates in the frail group were significantly higher than those in the non-frail group [30.8% (SAVR: 35.0%, TAVR: 28.9%) vs. 10.7% (SAVR: 15.0%, TAVR: 6.7%), p < 0.001]. The home discharge rate in the non-frail group was significantly higher than that in the frail group [85.2% (SAVR: 81.2%, TAVR: 88.8%) vs. 49.2% (SAVR: 55.0%, TAVR: 46.7%), p < 0.001]. The postoperative 6MWD in the non-frail group was significantly longer than that in the frail group [299.3 ± 87.8 m (SAVR: 321.9 ± 90.8 m, TAVR: 281.1 ± 81.3 m) vs. 141.9 ± 92.4 m (SAVR: 167.8 ± 92.5 m, TAVR: 131.6 ± 91.3 m), p < 0.001]. The TAVR group did not show a decrease in the 6MWD after intervention, regardless of frailty. We report for the first time that preoperative frailty was strongly associated with postoperative complications, 6MWD, and home discharge rates following both SAVR and TAVR. Preoperative frailty assessment may provide useful indications for planning better individualized therapeutic interventions and supporting comprehensive intensive care before and after interventions.

Circulating intermediate monocytes and toll-like receptor 4 correlate with low-voltage zones in atrial fibrillation.

Inflammation has been suggested to play a key role in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation (AF). Our hypothesis was that this inflammation, mediated by intermediate monocytes and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), causes the formation and expansion of low-voltage zones (LVZs). Prior to ablation, the monocyte subsets of 78 AF patients and TLR4 expression of 66 AF patients were analyzed via a flow cytometric analysis. Based on the CD14/CD16 expression, the monocytes were divided into three subsets: classical, intermediate, and non-classical. At the beginning of the ablation session, voltage mapping was performed. LVZs were defined as all bipolar electrogram amplitudes of < 0.5 mV. Correlations between the flow cytometric analysis results and presence of LVZs, as well as the total area of the LVZ, were examined. Patients with LVZs clearly had a higher proportion of intermediate monocytes (10.0 ± 3.6% vs. 7.2 ± 2.7%, p < 0.001) than those without LVZs. TLR4 was much more frequently expressed in the intermediate monocytes than other two monocyte subsets (p < 0.001). Moreover, the TLR4 expression level in intermediate monocytes correlated positively with the total area of the LVZs (r = 0.267, p = 0.030), especially in patients with paroxysmal AF (r = 0.365, p = 0.015). The intermediate monocytes and TLR4 expression positively correlated with LVZs in AF patients.

Short- versus long-segment posterior spinal fusion with vertebroplasty for osteoporotic vertebral collapse with neurological impairment in thoracolumbar spine: a multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Vertebroplasty with posterior spinal fusion (VP + PSF) is one of the most widely accepted surgical techniques for treating osteoporotic vertebral collapse (OVC). Nevertheless, the effect of the extent of fusion on surgical outcomes remains to be established. This study aimed to evaluate the surgical outcomes of short- versus long-segment VP + PSF for OVC with neurological impairment in thoracolumbar spine. METHODS: We retrospectively collected data from 133 patients (median age, 77 years; 42 men and 91 women) from 27 university hospitals and their affiliated hospitals. We divided patients into two groups: a short-segment fusion group (S group) with 2- or 3-segment fusion (87 patients) and a long-segment fusion group (L group) with 4- through 6-segment fusion (46 patients). Surgical invasion, clinical outcomes, local kyphosis angle (LKA), and complications were evaluated. RESULTS: No significant differences between the two groups were observed in terms of neurological recovery, pain scale scores, and complications. Surgical time was shorter and blood loss was less in the S group, whereas LKA at the final follow-up and correction loss were superior in the L group. CONCLUSION: Although less invasiveness and validity of pain and neurological relief are secured by short-segment VP + PSF, surgeons should be cautious regarding correction loss.

Effect of bisphosphonates or teriparatide on mechanical complications after posterior instrumented fusion for osteoporotic vertebral fracture: a multi-center retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The optimal treatment of osteoporosis after reconstruction surgery for osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVF) remains unclear. In this multicentre retrospective study, we investigated the effects of typically used agents for osteoporosis, namely, bisphosphonates (BP) and teriparatide (TP), on surgical results in patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures. METHODS: Retrospectively registered data were collected from 27 universities and affiliated hospitals in Japan. We compared the effects of BP vs TP on postoperative mechanical complication rates, implant-related reoperation rates, and clinical outcomes in patients who underwent posterior instrumented fusion for OVF. Data were analysed according to whether the osteoporosis was primary or glucocorticoid-induced. RESULTS: A total of 159 patients who underwent posterior instrumented fusion for OVF were included. The overall mechanical complication rate was significantly lower in the TP group than in the BP group (BP vs TP: 73.1% vs 58.2%, p = 0.045). The screw backout rate was significantly lower and the rates of new vertebral fractures and pseudoarthrosis tended to be lower in the TP group than in the BP group. However, there were no significant differences in lumbar functional scores and visual analogue scale pain scores or in implant-related reoperation rates between the two groups. The incidence of pseudoarthrosis was significantly higher in patients with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP) than in those with primary osteoporosis; however, the pseudoarthrosis rate was reduced by using TP. The use of TP also tended to reduce the overall mechanical complication rate in both primary osteoporosis and GIOP. CONCLUSIONS: The overall mechanical complication rate was lower in patients who received TP than in those who received a BP postoperatively, regardless of type of osteoporosis. The incidence of pseudoarthrosis was significantly higher in patients with GIOP, but the use of TP reduced the rate of pseudoarthrosis in GIOP patients. The use of TP was effective to reduce postoperative complications for OVF patients treated with posterior fusion.

Solid-Phase Total Synthesis of Yaku'amide†B Enabled by Traceless Staudinger Ligation.

We report a solid-phase strategy for total synthesis of the peptidic natural product yaku'amide B (1), which exhibits antiproliferative activity against various cancer cells. Its linear tridecapeptide sequence bears four ß,ß-dialkylated α,ß-dehydroamino acid residues and is capped with an N-terminal acyl group (NTA) and a C-terminal amine (CTA). To realize the Fmoc-based solid-phase synthesis of this complex structure, we developed new methods for enamide formation, enamide deprotection, and C-terminal modification. First, traceless Staudinger ligation enabled enamide formation between sterically encumbered alkenyl azides and newly designed phosphinophenol esters. Second, application of Eu(OTf)3 led to chemoselective removal of the enamide Boc groups without detaching the resin linker. Finally, resin-cleavage and C-terminus modification were simultaneously achieved with an ester-amide exchange reaction using CTA and AlMe3 to deliver 1 in 9.1 % overall yield (24 steps from the resin).

Bacteroides vulgatus and Bacteroides dorei Reduce Gut Microbial Lipopolysaccharide Production and Inhibit Atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND: It is increasingly recognized that gut microbiota play a pivotal role in the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Previously, we have reported that the abundance of genus Bacteroides is lower in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) than in patients without CAD with coronary risk factors or in healthy volunteers. However, it remains unclear which and how specific gut bacteria contribute to the progression of atherosclerosis. METHODS: We recruited patients with CAD patients and controls without CAD with coronary risk factors. We then compared gut microbial composition using 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing in fecal samples to detect species with differential abundance between 2 groups. Subsequently, we used atherosclerosis-prone mice to study the mechanisms underlying the relationship between such species and atherosclerosis. RESULTS: Human fecal 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing revealed a significantly lower abundance of Bacteroides vulgatus and Bacteroides dorei in patients with CAD. This significant differential abundance was confirmed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Gavage with live B. vulgatus and B. dorei attenuated atherosclerotic lesion formation in atherosclerosis-prone mice, markedly ameliorating endotoxemia followed by decreasing gut microbial lipopolysaccharide production, effectively suppressing proinflammatory immune responses. Furthermore, fecal lipopolysaccharide levels in patients with CAD were significantly higher and negatively correlated with the abundance of B. vulgatus and B. dorei. CONCLUSIONS: Our translational research findings identify a previously unknown link between specific gut bacteria and atherosclerosis. Treatment with live B. vulgatus and B. dorei may help prevent CAD. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000018051 . Unique identifier: UMIN000015703.

Surgical outcomes of spinal fusion for osteoporotic thoracolumbar vertebral fractures in patients with Parkinson's disease: what is the impact of Parkinson's disease on surgical outcome?

BACKGROUND: To date, there have been little published data on surgical outcomes for patients with PD with thoracolumbar OVF. We conducted a retrospective multicenter study of registry data to investigate the outcomes of fusion surgery for patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) with osteoporotic vertebral fracture (OVF) in the thoracolumbar junction. METHODS: Retrospectively registered data were collected from 27 universities and their affiliated hospitals in Japan. In total, 26 patients with PD (mean age, 76 years; 3 men and 23 women) with thoracolumbar OVF who underwent spinal fusion with a minimum of 2 years of follow-up were included (PD group). Surgical invasion, perioperative complications, radiographic sagittal alignment, mechanical failure (MF) related to instrumentation, and clinical outcomes were evaluated. A control group of 296 non-PD patients (non-PD group) matched for age, sex, distribution of surgical procedures, number of fused segments, and follow-up period were used for comparison. RESULTS: The PD group showed higher rates of perioperative complications (p < 0.01) and frequency of delirium than the non-PD group (p < 0.01). There were no significant differences in the degree of kyphosis correction, frequency of MF, visual analog scale of the symptoms, and improvement according to the Japanese Orthopaedic Association scoring system between the two groups. However, the PD group showed a higher proportion of non-ambulators and dependent ambulators with walkers at the final follow-up (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: A similar surgical strategy can be applicable to patients with PD with OVF in the thoracolumbar junction. However, physicians should pay extra attention to intensive perioperative care to prevent various adverse events and implement a rehabilitation regimen to regain walking ability.

Surgical outcomes of spinal fusion for osteoporotic vertebral fracture in the thoracolumbar spine: Comprehensive evaluations of 5 typical surgical fusion techniques.

BACKGROUND: A consensus on the optimal surgical procedure for thoracolumbar OVF has yet to be reached due to the previous relatively small number of case series. The study was conducted to investigate surgical outcomes for osteoporotic vertebral fracture (OVF) in the thoracolumbar spine. METHODS: In total, 315 OVF patients (mean age, 74 years; 68 men and 247 women) with neurological symptoms who underwent spinal fusion with a minimum 2-year follow-up were included. The patients were divided into 5 groups by procedure: anterior spinal fusion alone (ASF group, n = 19), anterior/posterior combined fusion (APSF group, n = 27), posterior spinal fusion alone (PSF group, n = 40), PSF with 3-column osteotomy (3CO group, n = 92), and PSF with vertebroplasty (VP + PSF group, n = 137). RESULTS: Mean operation time was longer in the APSF group (p < 0.05), and intraoperative blood loss was lower in the VP + PSF group (p < 0.05). The amount of local kyphosis correction was greater in the APSF and 3CO groups (p < 0.05). Clinical outcomes were approximately equivalent among all groups. CONCLUSION: All 5 procedures resulted in acceptable neurological outcomes and functional improvement in walking ability. Moreover, they were similar with regard to complication rates, prevalence of mechanical failure related to the instrumentation, and subsequent vertebral fracture. Individual surgical techniques can be adapted to suit patient condition or severity of OVF.

Complications after spinal fixation surgery for osteoporotic vertebral collapse with neurological deficits: Japan Association of Spine Surgeons with ambition multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: There have been few reports on the incidence and risk factors of the complications after spinal fixation surgery for osteoporotic vertebral collapse (OVC) with neurological deficits. This study aimed to identify the incidence and risk factors of the complications after OVC surgery. METHODS: In this retrospective multicenter study, a total of 403 patients (314 women and 89 men; mean age 73.8 years) who underwent spinal fixation surgery for OVC with neurological deficits between 2005 and 2014 were enrolled. Data on patient demographics were collected, including age, sex, body mass index, smoking, steroid use, medical comorbidities, and surgical procedures. All postoperative complications that occurred within 6 weeks were recorded. Patients were classified into two groups, namely, complication group and no complication group, and risk factors for postoperative complications were investigated by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Postoperative complications occurred in 57 patients (14.1%), and the most common complication was delirium (5.7%). In the univariate analysis, the complication group was found to be older (p = 0.039) and predominantly male (p = 0.049), with higher occurrence rate of liver disease (p = 0.001) and Parkinson's disease (p = 0.039) compared with the no-complication group. In the multivariate analysis, the significant independent risk factors were age (p = 0.021; odds ratio [OR] 1.051, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.007-1.097), liver disease (p < 0.001; OR 8.993, 95% CI 2.882-28.065), and Parkinson's disease (p = 0.009; OR 3.636, 95% CI 1.378-9.599). CONCLUSIONS: Complications after spinal fixation surgery for OVC with neurological deficits occurred in 14.1%. Age, liver disease, and Parkinson's disease were demonstrated to be independent risk factors for postoperative complications.

UVB Exposure Prevents Atherosclerosis by Regulating Immunoinflammatory Responses.

OBJECTIVE: UVB irradiation is an established treatment for immunoinflammatory cutaneous disorders and has been shown to suppress cutaneous and systemic inflammatory diseases through modulation of the adaptive immune response. However, it remains unknown whether UVB irradiation prevents an immunoinflammatory disease of arteries such as atherosclerosis. APPROACH AND RESULTS: Here, we show that UVB exposure inhibits the development and progression of atherosclerosis in atherosclerosis-prone mice by expanding and enhancing the functional capacity of CD4+ forkhead box P3+ regulatory T cells and regulating proatherogenic T-cell responses. Experimental studies in Langerhans cell-depleted mice revealed that epidermal Langerhans cells play a critical role in UVB-dependent induction of CD4+ forkhead box P3+ regulatory T cells, suppression of proatherogenic T-cell responses, and prevention of atherosclerotic plaque development. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest the skin immune system as a novel therapeutic target for atherosclerosis and provide a novel strategy for the treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis.

Gut Microbiome and Plasma Microbiome-Related Metabolites in Patients With Decompensated and Compensated Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND: Gut microbiome composition or circulating microbiome-related metabolites in patients with heart failure (HF) have not been investigated at different time points (i.e., in the decompensated (Decomp) and compensated (Comp) phases). Methods and Results: We prospectively enrolled 22 patients admitted for HF and 11 age-, sex-, and comorbidity-matched hospitalized control subjects without a history of HF. Gut flora and plasma microbiome-related metabolites were evaluated by amplicon sequencing of the bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA gene and capillary electrophoresis time-of-flight mass spectrometry, respectively. HF patients were evaluated in both the Decomp and Comp phases during hospitalization. The phylum Actinobacteria was enriched in HF patients compared with control subjects. At the genus level, Bifiodobacterium was abundant while Megamonas was depleted in HF patients. Meanwhile, plasma concentration of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a gut microbiome-derived metabolite, was increased in HF patients (Decomp HF vs. control, P=0.003; Comp HF vs. control, P=0.004). A correlation analysis revealed positive correlations between the abundance of the genus Escherichia/Shigella and levels of TMAO and indoxyl sulfate (IS, a microbe-dependent uremic toxin) in Comp HF (TMAO: r=0.62, P=0.002; IS: r=0.63, P=0.002). Escherichia/Shigella was more abundant in Decomp than in Comp HF (P=0.030). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that gut microbiome composition and microbiome-related metabolites are altered in HF patients.

Commensal bacteria at the crossroad between cholesterol homeostasis and chronic inflammation in atherosclerosis.

The gut microbiota were shown to play critical roles in the development of atherosclerosis, but the detailed mechanism is limited. The purpose of this study is to clarify the influence of gut microbiota on atherogenesis via lipid metabolism and systemic inflammation. Germ-free or conventionally raised (Conv) ApoE-deficient (ApoE-/-) mice were fed chow diet and euthanized at 20 weeks of age. We found that the lack of gut microbiota in ApoE-/- mice caused a significant increase in the plasma and hepatic cholesterol levels compared with Conv ApoE-/- mice. The absence of gut microbiota changed the bile acid composition in the ileum, which was associated with activation of the enterohepatic fibroblast growth factor 15, fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 axis, and reduction of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase and hepatic bile acid synthesis, resulting in the accumulation of liver cholesterol content. However, we found that the lack of microbiota caused a significant reduction in atherosclerotic lesion formation compared with Conv ApoE-/- mice, which might be associated with the attenuation of lipopolysaccharide-mediated inflammatory responses. Our findings indicated that the gut microbiota affected both hypercholesterolemia and atherogenesis in mice.

Impact of CD14++CD16+ monocytes on plaque vulnerability in diabetic and non-diabetic patients with asymptomatic coronary artery disease: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Previously, we have reported that daily glucose fluctuations could affect coronary plaque vulnerability, but the underlying mechanisms remained unclear. This study sought to investigate the impact of CD14++CD16+ monocytes on plaque vulnerability, as assessed by virtual histology intravascular ultrasound (VH-IVUS), as well as their relationship to fluctuating glucose levels in patients with asymptomatic coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: Fifty-one patients with asymptomatic CAD, who were undergoing lipid-lowering therapy and underwent VH-IVUS evaluation for angiographically mild to moderate lesions, were enrolled in the study. Standard VH-IVUS parameters, including the percentage volume of the necrotic core (%NC) within the plaque and the presence of a virtual histology thin-cap fibroatheroma (VH-TCFA), were then evaluated. Additionally, monocyte subsets were assessed by flow cytometry, and daily glucose fluctuations were analyzed by measuring the mean amplitude of glycemic excursion (MAGE). RESULTS: Among 82 plaques from 22 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients and 29 non-DM patients, 15 VH-TCFAs were identified. CD14++CD16+ monocyte counts significantly correlated with both  %NC and the presence of VH-TCFA (%NC: r = 0.339, p = 0.002; VH-TCFA: p = 0.003). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that CD14++CD16+ monocyte counts were independently associated with VH-TCFA (odds ratio = 1.029, p = 0.004). Furthermore, CD14++CD16+ monocyte counts were significantly correlated with the MAGE score in the non-DM patients (r = 0.544, p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: CD14++CD16+ monocyte levels are associated with coronary plaque vulnerability and can serve as a biomarker for VH-TCFA in patients with CAD undergoing lipid-lowering therapy. In patients without DM, glucose fluctuations may alter the balance of monocyte subsets. Trial registration UMIN Registry number: UMIN000021228.