Antibodies of IgM subclass to phosphorylcholine and oxidized LDL are protective factors for atherosclerosis in patients with hypertension.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the importance of antibodies against phosphorylcholine (PC) and oxidized low density lipoprotein (OxLDL) for development of atherosclerosis.

METHODS AND RESULTS:

Two hundred and twenty six individuals with established hypertension (diastolic pressure > 95mmHg) were from European Lacidipine Study on Atherosclerosis. Antibodies of IgG and IgM subclass were tested by ELISA against PC (aPC), cupper-oxidized (ox)- or malondialdehyde (MDA)-modified LDL. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein was measured by nephelometry. As a surrogate measure of atherosclerosis, we used the mean of the maximum intima-media thicknesses (IMT) in the far walls of common carotids and bifurcations was determined by ultrasonography at the time of enrolment, and 4 years following enrolment. aPC could be competed out by PC and OxLDL, while cardiolipin (CL) and beta2-glycoprotein I (beta2GPI) were less effective and phosphatidylserine (PS) not at all. Increases in IMT at follow-up were less common in subjects which at the time of enrolment had high IgM aPC (both 75th and 90th; odds ratios: 0.46; CI: 0.25-0.85; 0.36; CI: 0.15-0.87) and high IgM aOxLDL and aMDA-LDL (90th; odds ratios 0.27; p = 0.01; CI: 0.11-0.69 and 0.27; p = 0.01; CI: 0.11-0.69). CRP was unrelated to IMT-changes. The relationship between IgM aPC, aOxLDL and aMDA-LDL and changes in IMT was independent of age, treatment with atenolol or lacidipine, smoking and lipids. Women had higher levels of IgM antibodies tested (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS:

High levels of IgM-antibodies against PC and OxLDL predict a favourable outcome in the development of carotid atherosclerosis in hypertensive subjects. Whether these antibodies could be used therapeutically deserves further study.

• Authors: Jun Su, Anastasia Georgiades, Ruihua Wu, Thomas Thulin, Ulf de Faire, Johan Frostegård
• Journal: Atherosclerosis (Atherosclerosis) Vol. 188 Issue 1 Pg. 160-6 (Sep 2006) ISSN: 0021-9150 [Print] Ireland
• PMID: 16307748 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Cardiolipins
• Immunoglobulin M
• Lipoproteins, LDL
• beta 2-Glycoprotein I
• oxidized low density lipoprotein
• Phosphorylcholine
• Malondialdehyde

Topics

• Cardiolipins (immunology)
• Carotid Artery Diseases (diagnosis, immunology)
• Carotid Artery, Common (diagnostic imaging, pathology)
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
• Female
• Humans
• Hypertension (complications, immunology)
• Immunoglobulin M (blood, immunology)
• Lipoproteins, LDL (immunology)
• Male
• Malondialdehyde (immunology)
• Oxidation-Reduction
• Phosphorylcholine (immunology)
• Prognosis
• Tunica Intima (diagnostic imaging, pathology)
• Ultrasonography
• beta 2-Glycoprotein I (immunology)