Diagnostic and Prognostic Value of Low Density Lipoprotein-Containing Circulating Immune Complexes in Atherosclerosis

Abstract

Recently, it has been shown that increased level of LDL-containing circulating immune complexes (LDL-CIC) possess high diagnostic significance in clinically manifested atherosclerosis, but little is known about its diagnostic and prognostic significance in early atherosclerosis. Two-years prospective study was performed in 98 asymptomatic men aged 40-74. The rate of atherosclerosis progression was estimated by high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography as the increase in intima-media thickness (IMT) of common carotid arteries. The patients with elevated baseline levels of LDL-CIC were characterized by significantly higher levels of total and LDL cholesterol as well as significantly increased mean IMT of common carotid arteries. Among all baseline lipid parameters, only LDL-CIC and LDL cholesterol were contingent with the extent of early carotid atherosclerosis (p = 0.042 and p = 0.049, respectively) and had the highest levels of relative risk and odds ratio. During the follow up, significant IMT increase was registered in 53.1 % (n = 52) patients, IMT significant reduction was observed in 21.4 % (n = 21) patients. The increased levels of LDL-CIC, total serum cholesterol and LDL cholesterol had similar prognostic significance with the respect of atherosclerosis progression. The normal level of LDL-CIC (below than 16.0 μg/ml) was the only lipid parameter that predicted the absence of carotid atherosclerosis progression for two following years at prognostic value of 78.3 %. The results of the study allow assuming that LDL-CIC level may be employed not only as a marker of early atherosclerosis, but also has a sufficient prognostic value for clinical implications.

Circulating Atherogenic Multiple-Modified Low-Density Lipoprotein: Pathophysiology and Clinical Applications

“…Amount of LDL-containing circulating immune complexes was directly correlated with the severity of atherosclerosis [71]. We hypothesize that anti-LDL autoantibodies and circulating immune complexes containing LDL can be the factors that convey blood atherogenicity.…”

“…Immune complexes, consisting of LDL and autoantibodies, have been discovered in the human blood stream circulation [71]. Amount of LDL-containing circulating immune complexes was directly correlated with the severity of atherosclerosis [71].…”

Approach to Reduction of Blood Atherogenicity

“…In the blood of patients with coronary atherosclerosis circulating immune complexes consisting of LDL and autoantibodies were found [41]. It has been shown that the amount of LDL-containing circulating immune complexes directly correlates with the degree of coronary atherosclerosis and atherosclerosis of other localizations [41].…”

“…It has been shown that the amount of LDL-containing circulating immune complexes directly correlates with the degree of coronary atherosclerosis and atherosclerosis of other localizations [41]. …”

Atherogenic modification of low-density lipoproteins

“…Действительно, в крови большинства пациентов с коронарным атеросклерозом обнаружены циркулирующие иммунные комплексы, состоящие из ЛНП и анти-ЛНП аутоантител [20,[84][85][86]. Было показано, что количество ЛНП-содержащих циркулирующих иммунных комплексов прямо коррелирует со степенью развития коронарного атеросклероза и атеросклероза других локализаций [86].…”