ADAMTS-7 is associated with a high-risk plaque phenotype in human atherosclerosis.

Abstract

Several large-scale genome-wide association studies have identified single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the genomic region of A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase with ThromboSpondin type 1 repeats (ADAMTS)-7 and associations to coronary artery disease. Experimental studies have provided evidence for a functional role of ADAMTS-7 in both injury-induced vascular neointima formation and development of atherosclerotic lesions. However, whether ADAMTS-7 is associated with a specific plaque phenotype in humans has not been investigated. Carotid plaques (n = 206) from patients with and without cerebrovascular symptoms were analyzed for expression of ADAMTS-7 by immunohistochemistry and correlated to components associated with plaque vulnerability. Plaques from symptomatic patients showed increased levels of ADAMTS-7 compared with lesions from asymptomatic patients. High levels of ADAMTS-7 correlated with high levels of CD68-staining and lipid content, but with low smooth muscle cell and collagen content, which together are characteristics of a vulnerable plaque phenotype. ADAMTS-7 levels above median were associated with increased risk for postoperative cardiovascular events. Our data show that ADAMTS-7 is associated with a vulnerable plaque phenotype in human carotid lesions. These data support previous observations of a potential proatherogenic role of ADAMTS-7.

• Authors: Eva Bengtsson, Karin Hultman, Pontus Dunér, Giuseppe Asciutto, Peter Almgren, Marju Orho-Melander, Olle Melander, Jan Nilsson, Anna Hultgårdh-Nilsson, Isabel Gonçalves
• Journal: Scientific reports (Sci Rep) Vol. 7 Issue 1 Pg. 3753 (06 16 2017) ISSN: 2045-2322 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 28623250 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• ADAMTS7 Protein
• ADAMTS7 protein, human

Topics

• ADAMTS7 Protein (genetics, metabolism)
• Aged
• Carotid Artery Diseases (enzymology, genetics, pathology)
• Female
• Genome-Wide Association Study
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Myocytes, Smooth Muscle (enzymology, pathology)
• Neointima (enzymology, genetics, pathology)
• Plaque, Atherosclerotic (enzymology, genetics, pathology)
• Risk Factors