TNF-expressing CD1d+ monocytes are associated with the activation of CD4- CD8- T cells in patients with Chagas cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND

Chagas disease cardiomyopathy is characterized by intense immune activation, with double-negative (DN) T cells as key producers of inflammatory cytokines. CD1d is an antigen-presenting molecule involved in the activation of DN T cells.

METHODS

We characterized CD1d+ monocytes from patients with cardiac (CARD) and indeterminate (IND) disease using flow cytometry.

RESULTS

CARD CD1d+ monocytes exhibited higher expression of TNF, TNF-receptor, PDL-1, and Fas-L compared to those from IND. These monocytes correlated with TNF expression by DN T-cells in CARD but not in IND.

CONCLUSIONS

CD1d+ monocytes from CARD are inflammatory and associated with DN T-cell activation, confirming that CD1d is a target for modulating inflammation in Chagas cardiomyopathy.