Monocyte Activation in Preclinical Atherosclerosis

Cross-sectional Clinical Study of the Individual Profile of Activation of Circulating Blood Monocytes in Subjects With Preclinical Atherosclerosis.

The study of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines expression profiles in human monocytes to identify new effective biomarkers that have the best diagnostic potential in asymptomatic atherosclerosis.

This project is the first step in creating a method for assessing an individual activity of macrophages. The problems addressed in the project are socially significant because of the high incidence of life-threatening diseases and their effects in the population. The method of evaluation of monocyte-macrophages activity in human blood will be based on the analysis of expression of cytokines and chemokines - markers of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory activity of macrophages. The most informative panel of cytokines and chemokines obtained during the project can be further used to create effective diagnostic tests.

Inclusion Criteria:

• men and women aged 40 to 74 years
• arterial normotension or mild arterial hypertension (systolic blood pressure <160 mm Hg, diastolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg)
• absence of chronic diseases demanding permanent drug administration (more than 2 month per year)

Exclusion Criteria:

• personal history of transient ischemic attacks
• personal history of chronic diseases demanding permanent drug administration (more than 2 month per year)
• personal history of life-threatening diseases
• indications for surgical treatment of atherosclerotic lesions localized in the extracranial brachiocephalic system