Detection of specific Chlamydia pneumoniae and cytomegalovirus antigens in human carotid atherosclerotic plaque in a Chinese population

Abstract

To explore the relationship between certain pathogens, such as chlamydia pneumonia (Cpn) and cytomegalovirus (CMV), and carotid atherosclerosis (AS) in a Chinese population.Twenty-five carotid atherosclerotic stenosis patients from the Beijing Tiantan Hospital (affiliated with Capital Medical University) participated in the study. After undergoing digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and/or computed tomography angiography (CTA), the degree of carotid artery stenosis was over 70% in all cases, and the patients underwent carotid endarterectomy. Plaque specimens were obtained during surgery. The streptavidin-peroxidase (SP) method was used to test the Cpn and CMV antigens in the specimens, and the relationship between the Cpn and CMV pathogen infections and AS was analyzed based on the test results. In the group of 25 carotid atherosclerotic specimens, the detection rate of the Cpn-specific antigens was 84.0% (21/25). In the control group, the detection rate was 13.3% (2/15) in the ascending aortic intima. Thus, the between-group difference was significant (P<0.01). The CMV-specific antigen detection rate was 72.0% (18/25) using the same experimental group specimens, and the detection rate was zero in the control group. Thus, there were significant between-group differences (P<0.01). Due to the high detection rate of Cpn- and CMV-specific antigens in carotid atherosclerotic plaque in a Chinese population, it can be inferred that pathogens such as Cpn and CMV are one factor associated with carotid atherosclerosis.

Human cytomegalovirus infection is correlated with atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability in carotid artery

“…10 Intriguingly, a high detection rate of human CMV-specific antigens is observed in carotid atherosclerotic plaque in the Russian and Chinese populations. 11,12 However, there is no mention of whether human CMV infection can result in atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability.…”

“…Human CMV infection of the vascular wall affects various cells, including monocytes/macrophages, endothelial cells (ECs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs), inducing enhanced cell proliferation and impaired apoptosis, thus contributing to intima‐media thickening, plaque formation and restenosis 10 . Intriguingly, a high detection rate of human CMV‐specific antigens is observed in carotid atherosclerotic plaque in the Russian and Chinese populations 11,12 . However, there is no mention of whether human CMV infection can result in atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability.…”

Delicate Role of PD-L1/PD-1 Axis in Blood Vessel Inflammatory Diseases: Current Insight and Future Significance

“…Chlamydia pneumoniae (C. pneumoniae) is a respiratory pathogen that has been recognized as a possible etiology for the inflammatory activities of atherosclerosis, where the antibodies against chlamydia antigens were strongly associated with the development of coronary heart disease [164]. C. pneumoniae has been isolated from coronary [164], carotid [165] and peripheral arteries [166], as it exhibits tropism for atherosclerotic lesions and is therefore found in higher titers at the lesion. This pathogen can invade and persist in several cell types at both respiratory and cardiovascular sites, including circulating monocytes, DCs, macrophages, aortic smooth muscle cells, and vascular endothelium, where infected circulating monocytes transmigrate into the vessels and interact with the vascular endothelium by cell-cell contact to trigger a series of inflammatory reactions leading to the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and procoagulants and recruitment of chlamydia-specific T cells to initiate atheroma formation [167][168][169].…”

Current Research of Chlamydial Infection Diseases in China

“…To the Editor: Chlamydia organisms belong to intracellular bacterial pathogens which are responsible for a range of human diseases, including trachoma, sexually transmitted disease, pneumonia, and other diseases. [ 1 2 3 4 5 ] Some Chlamydia -infected diseases were old and had long time impacted on the people's health in China and worldwide, but people cannot put enough emphasis on itin local areas. [ 6 ] For example, although China had reached the goal of eliminating blinding trachoma in 2015, some sporadic cases also exist in rural counties.…”

“…Asthma, arthritis, cerebrovascular disease, carotid atherosclerosis, age-related macular degeneration, and abortion can also be induced by Chlamydia spp. [ 1 2 3 5 42 ]…”