Intracoronary Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein 1 and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Levels Are Associated with Necrotic Core, Calcium and Fibrous Tissue Atherosclerotic Plaque Components: An Intracoronary Ultrasound Radiofrequency Study

Abstract

Aims: To investigate the relationship between various serum biomarkers and coronary atherosclerotic plaque composition obtained by intravascular ultrasound virtual histology (IVUS-VH). Methods: Using ELISA, we measured the serum levels of CD40 ligand, C-reactive protein, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), metalloproteinase 9, P-selectin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in 40 patients with manifested coronary artery disease. Results: Correlation analysis between biomarkers levels, IVUS grayscale parameters and VH-defined necrotic core (NC), calcium, fibrous and fibrofatty components was performed. MCP-1 and VEGF levels correlated with the severity of area stenosis (r = 0.35, p = 0.03 and r = 0.38, p = 0.017, respectively) and inversely correlated with the remodeling index (r = –0.35, p = 0.03 and r = 0.35, p = 0.02, respectively). Higher levels of MCP-1 were associated with increased calcium (r = 0.47, p = 0.004), NC (r = 0.38, p = 0.02) and less fibrous tissue components (r = –0.34, p = 0.03), whereas VEGF had an inverse correlation with both calcium components (r = –0.37, p = 0.02) and NC (r = –0.34, p = 0.036) but was strongly associated with increased fibrous components (r = 0.47, p = 0.003). No significant correlation was noted for any of the other biomarkers. Conclusions: MCP-1 and VEGF serum levels in patients with ischemic heart disease are correlated with coronary artery plaque burden and composition.

Usefulness of MCP-1 Chemokine in the Monitoring of Patients with Coronary Artery Disease Subjected to Intensive Dietary Intervention: A Pilot Study

“…De Lemos et al have shown that an increased level of MCP-1 in subjects with acute coronary syndrome, in the fourth quartile (>238 pg/mL, which corresponds to the 90th percentile in the normal healthy population), is correlated with a significantly higher risk of death [ 30 ]. The baseline level of MCP-1 in our study was 159.6 pg/mL and was lower than in the Fujita study [ 31 ] of patients with stable CAD (240.8 pg/mL) and in the study by Fuchs et al [ 32 ] conducted among patients with manifested CAD and coronary artery stenosis >50% in angiography (609.7 pg/mL). Lower values were shown in the study of Tajfard et.…”

Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 deficiency impairs atherosclerotic lesion development but promotes features of plaque instability in hypercholesterolaemic mice

“…Moreover, expression of MCP-1 was significantly increased in the atherosclerotic plaques of Nrf2 -/-LDLR -/-ApoB 100/100 mice in comparison to LDLR -/-ApoB 100/100 mice indicating increased local plaque inflammation. MCP-1 plays a role plaque instability by regulating matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression, and it has been reported that an inhibitory antibody to MCP-1 in ApoE -/mice increased plaque stability by increasing plaque collagen content 46,47,48 . As plaque macrophages have an important role in plaque stability, we also studied bone marrow derived macrophages derived from Nrf2 -/-LDLR -/-ApoB 100/100 mice and found that they were more inflammatory, showing increased mRNA expression of key proinflammatory cytokines upon proinflammatory stimuli.…”

Association of genetic polymorphisms in vascular endothelial growth factor with susceptibility to coronary artery disease: a meta–analysis

“…Eaton et al [ 41 ] reported that elevated levels of VEGF were significantly associated with CAD mortality after 13 years of follow–up. Additionally, recent evidence has suggested that low VEGF levels may be needed to maintain vascular homeostasis, whereas upregulated VEGF has been observed in active angiogenesis processes during acute or stable ischaemic myocardium [ 42 – 44 ]. Overall, these data suggest that changes in VEGF levels may reflect the progressive stages of angiogenesis activity.…”