Soluble FcγRIIIaMϕ Levels in Plasma Correlate with Carotid Maximum Intima-Media Thickness (IMT) in Subjects Undergoing an Annual Medical Checkup

Abstract

Macrophages play a major role in the development of vascular lesions in atherogenesis. The cells express FcγRIIIa (CD16) identical to that in NK cells, but with a cell type-specific glycosylation, and these soluble forms (sFcγRIIIa) are present in plasma. We measured sFcγRIIIa Mφ derived from macrophages in plasma from subjects undergoing an annual medical checkup. The levels of sFcγRIIIa Mφ increased with age, and correlated positively with body mass index, blood pressure, LDL cholesterol to HDL cholesterol ratio, triglycerides, hemoglobin A1c, and creatinine, but negatively with HDL-cholesterol levels. The sFcγRIIIa Mφ levels were related to the number of risk factors for atherosclerosis: such as aging, current smoking, diabetes, hypertension, hyper-LDLcholesterolemia, hypo-HDL-cholesterolemia, and family history of atherosclerotic diseases. In addition, the sFcγRIIIa Mφ levels were correlated with carotid maximum intima-media thickness (IMT). These findings indicate the macrophages are activated during the incipient stage of atherosclerosis, and suggest sFcγRIIIa Mφ may be used as a predictive marker for atherosclerosis.

The role of Fcγreceptors in atherosclerosis

“…57 Moreover, sFc gRIIIa MF concentration in the plasma was correlated with carotid maximum intima-media thickness and a number of risk factors for atherosclerosis, such as aging, current smoking, diabetes, hypertension, LDL-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio and family history of atherosclerotic diseases. 58 These findings indicate that the macrophages are activated during the process of atherosclerosis, and sFcg RIIIa MF serves as a novel biomarker for atherosclerosis. Pfeiffer et al 59 performed quantitative flow cytometry to measure the expression of Fc gRI and Fc gRIIA on peripheral monocytes in patients with severe atherosclerosis, and found that the expression of Fc g RIIA on peripheral monocytes was significantly decreased in patients with clinical atherosclerosis compared with control subjects and it was positively correlated with serum HDL-cholesterol concentrations.…”

“…57 Moreover, sFc γ RIIIa MΦ concentration in the plasma was correlated with carotid maximum intima-media thickness and a number of risk factors for atherosclerosis, such as aging, current smoking, diabetes, hypertension, LDL-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio and family history of atherosclerotic diseases. 58 These findings indicate that the macrophages are activated during the process of atherosclerosis, and sFc γ RIIIa MΦ serves as a novel biomarker for atherosclerosis. Pfeiffer et al .…”

Biomarkers Related to Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and Plaques in Long-Term Survivors of Ischemic Stroke

“…However, linear regression analysis showed non-significant results for continuous maximum cIMT values. Others have reported that soluble FcγRIIIA is associated with maximum cIMT [ 27 ], that the FcγRIIIA VV-genotype is inversely related to the extent of coronary artery disease [ 6 ] and that the FcγRIIA R allele is associated with impaired endothelial vasodilation in patients with hypercholesterolemia [ 28 ].…”