Redistribution of monocyte subsets in OSAS patients leads to an imbalanced crosstalk with CD4/CD8 T-cells

Aim of the study Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) represents a substantial disease of recurrent sleep fragmentation leading to intermitted hypoxia and subsequent diseases such as cardiovascular, metabolic, or cognitive dysfunctions. In addition, OSAS is considered as low-grade systemic inflammation which is associated with higher incidence of cancer, severity of infections and an overall immune dysregulation. This research project aims to comprehensively investigate the interplay of wholesome sleep and the immune functions of circulating monocytes and T cells in OSAS patients.

Methods We studied the distribution of the CD14/CD16 characterized monocyte subsets in peripheral blood as well as their PD-L1 expression and complex formation with T cells. Furthermore, a detailed analysis of T cell subsets with regard to their PD-1 and PD-L1 expression was performed using flow cytometry.

Results Data revealed a decrease of classical monocytes accompanied by an increase of both CD16⁺ monocyte subsets in OSAS patients that was positively correlated with the BMI. OSAS patients revealed an increased PD-1 and PD-L1 expression in T cells and monocytes, respectively, which was linked to the severity of monocyte subset alterations.

Conclusion Our data show for the first time notable alterations of peripheral monocyte subsets in response to obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and its accompanying phenomena.

Poster-PDF A-1403.pdf

Conflict of interest

Der Erstautor gibt keinen Interessenskonflikt an.

Publication History

Article published online:
13 May 2021