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Soluble thrombomodulin and coronary heart disease
1Vascular Biology Research Center, Institute of Molecular Medicine and The University of Texas-Houston Medical School, Houston, TX 77030, USA. kenneth.k.wu@uth.tmc.edu
Current Opinion in Lipidology
|July 17, 2003
Summary
High levels of soluble thrombomodulin (sTM) are linked to a reduced risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). This vasoprotective molecule plays a key role in predicting CHD events, especially when analyzed with soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Endothelial Biology
- Biomarker Research
Background:
- Endothelial thrombomodulin is a critical vasoprotective molecule.
- Soluble thrombomodulin (sTM) is a circulating degradation product of membrane thrombomodulin.
- Understanding sTM's role in cardiovascular health is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent findings on the relationship between soluble thrombomodulin and coronary heart disease (CHD).
- To explore sTM as a potential biomarker for CHD risk.
Main Methods:
- A population-based, prospective, case-cohort study design.
- Inclusion of healthy subjects without acute thrombotic events.
- Ascertainment of coronary heart disease events during follow-up.
Main Results:
- An inverse relationship was observed between plasma sTM levels and the relative risk of CHD.
- High sTM levels were associated with a significant reduction in CHD event risk.
- A significant interaction between sTM and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) in predicting CHD risk was identified.
Conclusions:
- Plasma sTM level is an independent, inverse risk factor for coronary heart disease.
- Combinatorial analysis of sTM and sICAM-1 offers a more specific CHD risk assessment in middle-aged individuals.
- sTM and its parent molecule play a predominant role in determining CHD event risk.