Homophilic Interaction Between Transmembrane-JAM-A and Soluble JAM-A Regulates Thrombo-Inflammation: Implications for Coronary Artery Disease

Plasma Olink Proteomics Reveals Novel Biomarkers for Prediction and Diagnosis in Dilated Cardiomyopathy with Heart Failure

In this study, we utilized the Olink Cardiovascular III panel to compare the expression levels of 92 cardiovascular-related proteins between patients with dilated cardiomyopathy combined with heart failure (DCM-HF) (n = 20) and healthy normal people (Normal) (n = 18). The top five most significant proteins, including SPP1, IGFBP7, F11R, CHI3L1, and Plaur, were selected by Olink proteomics. These proteins were further validated using ELISA in plasma samples collected from an additional cohort. ELISA validation confirmed significant increases in SPP1, IGFBP7, F11R, CHI3L1, and Plaur in DCM-HF patients compared to healthy controls. GO and KEGG analysis indicated that NT-pro BNP, SPP1, IGFBP7, F11R, CHI3L1, Plaur, BLM hydrolase, CSTB, Gal-4, CCL15, CDH5, SR-PSOX, and CCL2 were associated with DCM-HF. Correlation analysis revealed that these 13 differentially expressed proteins have strong correlations with clinical indicators such as LVEF and NT-pro BNP, etc. Additionally, in the GEO-DCM data sets, the combined diagnostic value of these five core proteins AUC values of 0.959, 0.773, and 0.803, respectively indicating the predictive value of the five core proteins for DCM-HF. Our findings suggest that these proteins may be useful biomarkers for the diagnosis and prediction of DCM-HF, and further research is prompted to explore their potential as therapeutic targets.

Platelet versus plasma CXCL14, coronary artery disease, and clinical outcomes

Background

Platelets express CXCL14, while platelet-derived CXCL14 induces monocyte chemotaxis and exerts an angiostatic effect on endothelial cells.

Objectives

This study investigated both platelet surface-associated and circulating levels of CXCL14 in patients with heart disease and associations of this chemokine with myocardial function and outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods

This prospective study enrolled 450 patients with symptomatic heart disease. Platelet surface-associated and plasma CXCL14 levels were analyzed. All patients were followed up for 360 days for a primary composite outcome consisting of all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, and/or ischemic stroke. Secondary outcomes consisted of the single events of all-cause mortality or myocardial infarction.

Results

Baseline platelet-associated but not circulating CXCL14 levels were significantly lower in patients with chronic coronary syndrome (mean fluorescence intensity logarithmized, 1.35 ± 0.35) when compared to those with acute coronary syndrome (1.47 ± 0.38) and without CAD (1.51 ± 0.40). Platelet CXCL14 levels were significantly lower (1.37 ± 0.37 vs 1.48 ± 0.39) and circulating CXCL14 levels were significantly higher (lg, 2.88 ± 0.20 pg/mL vs 2.82 ± 0.26 pg/mL) in patients with normal baseline left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) when compared to those with impaired LVEF. Low baseline circulating CXCL14 (hazard ratio, 2.33; 1.00-5.46) but not platelet CXCL14 was associated with worse outcome in patients with CAD.

Conclusion

Platelet-associated and circulating CXCL14 levels show differential regulation in patients with and without CAD. Although platelet-associated CXCL14 increased and circulating CXCL14 decreased with impairment of LVEF, only lower circulating CXCL14 upon admission was associated with worse prognosis in patients with CAD.

Platelet SR-PSOX/CXCL16-CXCR6 Axis Influences Thrombotic Propensity and Prognosis in Coronary Artery Disease

Platelets express the transmembrane chemokine SR-PSOX/CXCL16, proteolytic cleavage of which generates the sCXCL16 soluble-(s) chemokine. The sCXCL16 engages CXCR6 on platelets to synergistically propagate degranulation, aggregation and thrombotic response. Currently, we have investigated the pro-thrombotic and prognostic association of platelet CXCL16−CXCR6 axis in CAD-(n = 240; CCS n = 62; ACS n = 178) patients. Platelet surface-associated-CXCL16 and CXCR6 surface expression ascertained by flow cytometry correlated significantly with platelet activation markers (CD62P denoting degranulation and PAC-1 binding denoting α2bβ3-integrin activation). Higher platelet CXCL16 surface association (1st quartile vs. 2nd−4th quartiles) corresponded to significantly elevated collagen-induced platelet aggregation assessed by whole blood impedance aggregometry. Platelet-CXCL16 and CXCR6 expression did not alter with dyslipidemia, triglyceride, total cholesterol, or LDL levels, but higher (>median) plasma HDL levels corresponded with decreased platelet-CXCL16 and CXCR6. Although platelet-CXCL16 and CXCR6 expression did not change significantly with or correlate with troponin I levels, they corresponded with higher Creatine Kinase-(CK) activity and progressively deteriorating left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at admission. Elevated-(4th quartile) platelet-CXCL16 (p = 0.023) and CXCR6 (p = 0.030) measured at admission were significantly associated with a worse prognosis. However, after Cox-PH regression analysis, only platelet-CXCL16 was ascertained as an independent predictor for all-cause of mortality. Therefore, the platelet CXCL16−CXCR6 axis may influence thrombotic propensity and prognosis in CAD patients.

Junctional Adhesion Molecules: Potential Proteins in Atherosclerosis

Junctional adhesion molecules (JAMs) are cell-cell adhesion molecules of the immunoglobulin superfamily and are involved in the regulation of diverse atherosclerosis-related processes such as endothelial barrier maintenance, leucocytes transendothelial migration, and angiogenesis. To combine and further broaden related results, this review concluded the recent progress in the roles of JAMs and predicted future studies of JAMs in the development of atherosclerosis.