Alterations in Circulating Adhesion Molecules in Acute Myocardial Infarction before and after Thrombolysis with Streptokinase

Expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 in the aortic tissues of atherosclerotic patients and the associated clinical implications

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression level of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in the aortic tissues of atherosclerotic patients and to explore the associated clinical implications. Full-thickness aortic wall tissue samples were collected from atherosclerotic patients. Biochemical analysis was used for the detection of the serum levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), lipoprotein (a) [Lp (a)], apolipoprotein (Apo) AI and Apo-B. Coronary angiography and SYNTAX scoring were used to determine the extent and severity of the disease. Immunohistochemistry was employed for the detection of the VCAM-1 protein expression levels in the arterial tissues. Significant differences were observed in the blood lipid levels between atherosclerotic patients and control subjects. Immunohistochemistry indicated that the aortic VCAM-1 expression level in atherosclerotic patients was 0.23±0.06 optical density (OD) units, which was significantly higher than that in the control subjects (0.08±0.03 OD units). In the atherosclerotic patients, the aortic VCAM-1 expression was positively correlated with the serum levels of TG (r=0.347), TC (r=0.469), LDL-C (r=0.463), Lp (a) (r=0.507) and Apo-B (r=0.384), while VCAM-1 and HDL-C were negatively correlated (r=-0.319). Furthermore, a higher SYNTAX score was accompanied by a higher VCAM-1 expression level (r=0.532), and an elevated aortic VCAM-1 expression was associated with certain cardiovascular risk factors. In conclusion, aortic VCAM-1 expression is associated with the severity of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk factors, indicating that VCAM-1 plays a role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

ICAM-1 molecular mechanism and genome wide SNP's association studies

Macrophages transformed foam cell formation occurs as a result of leukocyte accumulation mediated through intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM1), and E-selectin, secreted by inflamed or damaged endothelium. The key molecule is the ICAM-1, member of the adhesion immunoglobulin super family that maps to chromosome 19 p13.2-p13.3 codes for 505 amino acids have five extracellular domains including circulatory leukocytes binding site (primarily monocytes) for recruiting it at the sites of inflammation and the tight adhesion with vascular endothelium for the above mentioned pathogenesis as an initial step. Hence the objective of the current paper is to review the Genome Wide Association (GWA) studies and summarizes its understanding of functional Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP's) of ICAM-1 clinical association to provide better guidance for the clinicians and researchers of the merits, demerits of the current results and direct them to do research on larger number of population for better prospective.

Asn563Ser polymorphism of CD31/PECAM-1 is associated with atherosclerotic cerebral infarction in a southern Han population

BACKGROUND

CD31, also called platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1), is thought to play a role in the pathological mechanisms of atherosclerosis. Leu125Val polymorphism and elevated plasma levels of soluble PECAM-1 (sPECAM-1) were found to be associated with cerebral infarction. Our aim was to investigate the association between the Asn563Ser polymorphism of CD31/PECAM-1, plasma level of sPECAM-1, and the risk of atherosclerotic cerebral infarction (ACI) in the southern Han population of the People's Republic of China.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A total of 147 subjects with ACI and 114 controls were enrolled in the study. The Asn563Ser CD31/PECAM-1 polymorphism was detected using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. The plasma spECAM-1 level was measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method.

RESULTS

In this study, statistically significant differences in Asn563Ser genotype and allele distribution were found between the cases and controls (P<0.05). Furthermore, logistic regression analysis showed that the GG genotype is associated with increase in ACI risk (odds ratio =4.862, P<0.001). The plasma level of sPECAM-1 was associated with ACI (odds ratio =1.431, P=0.038). In both the ACI and the control groups, the plasma sPECAM-1 level in subjects with the GG genotype was higher than that in subjects carrying the AA or GA genotype (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our study showed that the Asn563Ser polymorphism of CD31/PECAM-1 gene and elevated plasma sPECAM-1 level are related to ACI risk in the southern Han population of People's Republic of China.