1
|
Sommer P, Schreinlechner M, Noflatscher M, Engl C, Lener D, Theurl M, Kirchmair R, Marschang P. Hepatocyte growth factor as indicator for subclinical atherosclerosis. VASA 2024; 53:120-128. [PMID: 38205733 DOI: 10.1024/0301-1526/a001111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Background: Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a pleiotropic cytokine mainly produced by mesenchymal cells. After endothelial damage by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL), HGF is produced and released into the circulation in response. Due to this mechanism HGF has been proposed as possible clinical biomarker for clinical as well as subclinical atherosclerosis. Patients and methods: The conducted study is an observational, single centre, cohort study, including 171 patients with at least one cardiovascular risk factor or already established cardiovascular disease (CVD). Each patient underwent 3D plaque volumetry of the carotid and femoral arteries as well as physical examination and record of the medical history. Additionally, plasma HGF and further laboratory parameters like high sensitivity C-reactive protein and LDL-cholesterol were determined. Results: 169 patients were available for statistical analysis. In bivariate correlation, HGF showed a highly significant correlation with total plaque volume (TPV, r=0.48; p<0.001). In receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis for high TPV, HGF showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.68 (CI 95%: 0.59-0.77, p<0.001) with a sensitivity of 78% and a specificity of 52% to predict high TPV at a cut-off of 959 ng/ml. In the ROC-analysis for the presence of CVD, HGF demonstrated an AUC of 0.65 (95% CI 0.55-0.73; p=0.01) with a sensitivity of 77% and a specificity of 52%. Conclusions: Higher plasma levels of HGF are associated with higher atherosclerotic plaque volume as measured by 3D-ultrasound.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Philip Sommer
- Department of Internal Medicine III (Cardiology and Angiology), Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
- Department of Internal Medicine I (Cardiology, Angiology and Pulmology), Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Schreinlechner
- Department of Internal Medicine III (Cardiology and Angiology), Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Maria Noflatscher
- Department of Internal Medicine III (Cardiology and Angiology), Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Clarisse Engl
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, The Assembly, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Daniela Lener
- Department of Internal Medicine III (Cardiology and Angiology), Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Markus Theurl
- Department of Internal Medicine III (Cardiology and Angiology), Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Rudolf Kirchmair
- Department of Internal Medicine III (Cardiology and Angiology), Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Peter Marschang
- Department of Internal Medicine III (Cardiology and Angiology), Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
- Department of Internal Medicine, Central Hospital of Bolzano (SADES-ASDAA), Teaching Hospital of Paracelsus Medical University (PMU), Bolzano, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Sommer P, Schreinlechner M, Noflatscher M, Lener D, Mair F, Theurl M, Kirchmair R, Marschang P. Increasing Soluble P-Selectin Levels Predict Higher Peripheral Atherosclerotic Plaque Progression. J Clin Med 2023; 12:6430. [PMID: 37892568 PMCID: PMC10607706 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12206430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The adhesion molecule P-selectin is expressed by endothelial cells and platelets. It is involved in platelet activation and leukocyte adhesion, both important processes in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Our study was designed to assess the predictive value of soluble P-selectin (sP-selectin) on the progression of peripheral atherosclerosis. METHODS This is an observational, single-center, cohort study that included 443 patients with established cardiovascular disease (CVD) or at least one cardiovascular risk factor. Over a period of 4 years, each patient underwent three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound to assess the plaque volume of the carotid and femoral arteries once per year. In addition, plasma sP-selectin levels were measured at each visit. The association between changes in sP-selectin and peripheral atherosclerotic plaque progression was assessed using growth curve models. RESULTS 338 patients were available for statistical analysis. Each standard deviation increase in sP-selectin was significantly (p < 0.001) associated with a 46.09 mm3 higher plaque volume. In ROC-analysis, changes in sP-selectin over time showed an optimal cut-off value around Δ 0.0 µg/mL sP-selectin and significantly improved the predictive value of the ESC-SCORE (AUC for the combination of both parameters was 0.75 (95% CI 0.68-0.81, p < 0.001). Patients with increasing sP-selectin showed a significantly higher plaque progression compared to patients with decreasing or stable sP-selectin levels (202 mm3 vs. 110 mm3, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Increasing sP-selectin levels can predict higher atherosclerotic plaque progression as measured by 3D ultrasound. We suggest serial measurements of sP-selectin as an easily measurable biomarker for peripheral atherosclerotic plaque progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Philip Sommer
- Department of Internal Medicine III (Cardiology, Angiology), Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (P.S.)
| | - Michael Schreinlechner
- Department of Internal Medicine III (Cardiology, Angiology), Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (P.S.)
| | - Maria Noflatscher
- Department of Internal Medicine III (Cardiology, Angiology), Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (P.S.)
| | - Daniela Lener
- Department of Internal Medicine III (Cardiology, Angiology), Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (P.S.)
| | - Fabian Mair
- Department of Internal Medicine III (Cardiology, Angiology), Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (P.S.)
| | - Markus Theurl
- Department of Internal Medicine III (Cardiology, Angiology), Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (P.S.)
| | - Rudolf Kirchmair
- Department of Internal Medicine III (Cardiology, Angiology), Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (P.S.)
| | - Peter Marschang
- Department of Internal Medicine III (Cardiology, Angiology), Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (P.S.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, Central Hospital of Bolzano (SABES-ASDAA), Via Lorenz Boehler 5, I-39100 Bolzano, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Noflatscher M, Hunjadi M, Schreinlechner M, Sommer P, Lener D, Theurl M, Kirchmair R, Bauer A, Ritsch A, Marschang P. Inverse Correlation of Cholesterol Efflux Capacity with Peripheral Plaque Volume Measured by 3D Ultrasound. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1918. [PMID: 37509557 PMCID: PMC10376979 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11071918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a systemic multifocal illness called atherosclerosis that causes artery constriction and blockage. By causing cholesterol to build up in the artery wall, hypercholesterolemia is a major factor in the pathophysiology of atherosclerotic plaque development. Reverse cholesterol transport is the process of transporting cholesterol from the periphery back to the liver through cholesterol efflux mediated by high-density lipoprotein (HDL). It was suggested that the cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC), which is inversely linked with cardiovascular risk, can serve as a stand-in measure for reverse cholesterol transport. In this work, we sought to investigate a potential link between the peripheral plaque volume (PV) and CEC. METHODS Since lipid-lowering therapy interferes with CEC, we performed a cross-sectional study of 176 patients (48.9% females) with one cardiovascular risk factor or known CVD that did not currently take lipid-lowering medication. CEC was determined using cAMP-treated 3H-cholesterol-labeled J774 cells. Cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP)-mediated cholesterol ester transfer was measured by quantifying the transfer of cholesterol ester from radiolabeled exogenous HDL cholesterol to Apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins. PV in the carotid and the femoral artery, defined as the total PV, was measured using a 3D ultrasound system equipped with semi-automatic software. RESULTS In our patients, we discovered an inverse relationship between high total PV and CEC (p = 0.027). However, there was no connection between total PV and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, lipoprotein (a), or CETP-mediated cholesterol ester transfer. CONCLUSION In patients not receiving lipid-lowering treatment, CEC inversely correlates with peripheral atherosclerosis, supporting its role in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Noflatscher
- Department of Internal Medicine III (Cardiology, Angiology), Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Monika Hunjadi
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Michael Schreinlechner
- Department of Internal Medicine III (Cardiology, Angiology), Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Philip Sommer
- Department of Internal Medicine III (Cardiology, Angiology), Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Daniela Lener
- Department of Internal Medicine III (Cardiology, Angiology), Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Markus Theurl
- Department of Internal Medicine III (Cardiology, Angiology), Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Rudolf Kirchmair
- Department of Internal Medicine III (Cardiology, Angiology), Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Axel Bauer
- Department of Internal Medicine III (Cardiology, Angiology), Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Andreas Ritsch
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Peter Marschang
- Department of Internal Medicine III (Cardiology, Angiology), Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
- Department of Internal Medicine, Central Hospital of Bolzano (SABES-ASDAA), Via Lorenz Boehler 5, I-39100 Bolzano, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hong LZ, Xue Q, Shao H. Inflammatory Markers Related to Innate and Adaptive Immunity in Atherosclerosis: Implications for Disease Prediction and Prospective Therapeutics. J Inflamm Res 2021; 14:379-392. [PMID: 33628042 PMCID: PMC7897977 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s294809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Several lines of evidence have linked a dysregulated inflammatory setting to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, which is a form of chronic vascular inflammation. Various inflammatory biomarkers have been associated with inflammation and are recognized as potential tools to monitor the progression of atherosclerosis. A well-studied inflammatory marker in the context of cardiovascular diseases is C-reactive protein (CRP) or, more accurately, highly sensitive-CRP (hs-CRP), which has been established as an inflammatory biomarker for atherosclerotic events. In addition, a growing body of investigations has attempted to disclose the potential of inflammatory cytokines, enzymes, and genetic polymorphisms related to innate and adaptive immunity as biomarkers for predicting the development of atherosclerosis. In this review article, we clarify both traditional and novel inflammatory biomarkers related to components of the innate and adaptive immune system that may mirror the progression or phases of atherosclerotic inflammation/lesions. Furthermore, the contribution of the inflammatory biomarkers in developing potential therapeutics against atherosclerotic treatment will be discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ling-Zhi Hong
- Emergency Department, Chun’an First People’s Hospital (Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital Chun’an Branch), Hangzhou, 311700, Zhejiang Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qi Xue
- Department of Cardiology, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, People’s Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310014, Zhejiang Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hong Shao
- Department of Cardiology, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, People’s Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310014, Zhejiang Province, People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|