Overexpression of chemokine receptors might contribute to the initiation of atherosclerosis, due to promotion of monocyte migration to the subendothelial space which is considered as an initiating mechanism in the natural history of atherosclerosis. The CCR5 receptor is one of the chemokine receptors present on peripheral T lymphocytes, monocytes and macrophages.
Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the expression of CCR5 receptor on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Material and methods: 14 patients with type 2 diabetes and 6 healthy subjects as a control were included to the study. We evaluated the density of the CCR5 receptor on peripheral blood mononuclear cells by flow cytometric analysis by use of LSR Cytofluorograf System (Becton Dickinson Co.).
Results: There was significantly higher density of the CCR5 receptor on PMBC in diabetic subjects when compared to the controls.
Conclusions: (1) Patients with type 2 diabetes present overexpression of the CCR5 receptor on peripheral blood mononuclear cells. (2). Overexpression of the CCR5 receptor should be considered as a factor that promotes the development of atherosclerosis in diabetic patients.