Increased pro-inflammatory phenotype of peripheral blood monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages among patients with excessive ethanol intake

Excessive alcohol consumption adversely affects the immune system and triggers the activation of peripheral blood (PB) monocytes and tissue macrophages, contributing to alcohol- related organ damage. This study aimed to analyze the M1/M2 and inflammatory phenotypes of circulating monocytes and macrophage-derived monocytes (MDMs). This single-center cross- sectional study included 20 excessive alcohol drinkers (EADs) and 22 healthy controls. PB samples were collected under fasting conditions for isolation of CD14+ monocytes and short-term culture without stimulation, LPS/IFNγ, or IL4/IL13. These conditions were also used to polarize monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) into M0, M1, or M2 phenotypes. Cytokine production was assessed in the blood samples and supernatants. M1/M2 related markers in PB monocytes and MDMs were analyzed using mRNA expression and surface marker analyses. In addition, the miRNA profile was analyzed in CD14+ monocytes. PB samples from EADs exhibited increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In the present study, 22 samples are included, of which 8 samples are control samples from peripheral blood CD14+ monocytes, healthy controls, and 14 samples from CD14+ monocytes from patients with excessive alcohol intake.