Association of immune cell subsets with cardiac mechanics in the multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis

BACKGROUND. Immunomodulatory therapy may help prevent heart failure (HF). Data on immune cells and myocardial remodeling in older adults with cardiovascular risk factors are limited. METHODS. In the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis cohort, 869 adults had 19 peripheral immune cell subsets measured and underwent cardiac MRI during the baseline exam, of which 321 had assessment of left ventricular global circumferential strain (LV-GCS). We used linear regression with adjustment for demographics, cardiovascular risk factors, and cytomegalovirus serostatus to evaluate the cross-sectional association of immune cell subsets with left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and LV-GCS. RESULTS. The average age of the cohort was 61.6 ± 10.0 years and 53% were women. Higher proportions of γ/δ T cells were associated with lower absolute (worse) LV-GCS (–0.105% [95% CI –0.164%, –0.046%] per 1 SD higher proportion of γ/δ T cells, P = 0.0006). This association remained significant after Bonferroni’s correction. Higher proportions of classical monocytes were associated with worse absolute LV-GCS (–0.04% [95% CI –0.07%, 0.00%] per 1 SD higher proportion of classical monocytes, P = 0.04). This did not meet significance after Bonferroni’s correction. There were no other significant associations with LV-GCS or LVMI. CONCLUSION. Pathways associated with γ/δ T cells may be potential targets for immunomodulatory therapy targeted at HF prevention in populations at risk.