Expression of Notch1 signaling and inflammatory cytokines in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with acute coronary syndrome

AIM:To explore the differential expression of Notch signaling in human platelet-monocyte aggregates (PMAs) of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS: PMAs of 50 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) including 36 patients with ACS and 14 patients with stable angina (SA) were measured. Thirty subjects without CAD served as controls. After 48 h, cells and supernatant were collected separately. Expressions of Notch1 mRNA were measured by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and protein was measured by Western blot. Levels of vascular cell adhesive molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in supernatant were determined by ELISA. RESULTS: Notch1 mRNA and protein expressions in ACS group were significantly higher than in controls (P<0.05). Levels of VCAM-1 and MCP-1 significantly increased in the CAD group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Notch1 and Notch1-mediated innate immune response may play an important regulatory role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis.