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Chlamydial heat-shock protein-60 antibody and correlation with Chlamydia pneumoniae in atherosclerotic plaques

Ignatius W Fong1, Brian Chiu, Esther Viira

  • 1Department of Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. fongi@smh.toronto.on.ca

The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|October 31, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Serum antibodies to Chlamydial heat-shock protein-60 (CHSP-60) are linked to Chlamydia pneumoniae in atheromatous plaques. C-reactive protein (CRP) levels showed no association with this infection in the study.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease.
  • Chlamydia pneumoniae infection has been implicated in atherogenesis.
  • The role of specific immune responses, like antibodies to heat-shock proteins, requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between serum antibodies to Chlamydial heat-shock protein-60 (CHSP-60) and C-reactive protein (CRP) with the presence of Chlamydia pneumoniae in atheromatous plaques.
  • To determine the potential role of CHSP-60 immune response in the development of atherosclerosis.

Main Methods:

  • Serum samples from 75 patients were analyzed for anti-CHSP-60 antibodies using ELISA.
  • Presence of C. pneumoniae antigen in atheromatous plaques was detected.
  • Serum CRP concentrations were measured.

Main Results:

  • Higher levels of anti-CHSP-60 antibodies were significantly associated with the presence of C. pneumoniae antigen in atheromatous plaques (P=.008).
  • A significantly greater proportion of patients with detectable C. pneumoniae antigen had higher anti-CHSP-60 antibody levels (P<.001).
  • No significant association was found between serum CRP levels and the presence of C. pneumoniae antigen.

Conclusions:

  • Immune response to CHSP-60 may play a role in atherogenesis.
  • Serum CRP levels do not appear to be related to C. pneumoniae infection in this cohort.
  • Targeting CHSP-60 immune responses could be a potential therapeutic strategy for atherosclerosis.

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