Circulating vascular cell adhesion molecules VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and E-selectin in dependence on aging

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular research
• Biomarker discovery
• Aging research

Background:

• Elevated circulating cell adhesion molecules (cCAMs) like VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and E-selectin are linked to vascular diseases and atherosclerosis risk factors.
• Limited data exists on the relationship between cCAMs and biological age.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between age and levels of cVCAM-1, cICAM-1, and cE-selectin in individuals with diverse cardiovascular risk profiles.
• To determine if cCAM levels are influenced by age and cardiovascular risk.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 282 healthy individuals, 77 vegetarians, 94 coronary heart disease patients, and 181 peripheral arterial occlusive disease patients (aged 18-89).
• Measurement of cCAMs (VCAM-1, ICAM-1, E-selectin) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.
• Assessment of serum lipids and other clinical/biochemical parameters.

Main Results:

• Circulating VCAM-1 (cVCAM-1) showed a unique age-dependent elevation across all studied groups, including healthy individuals, vegetarians, and patients with vascular diseases.
• Circulating ICAM-1 (cICAM-1) levels increased with age in control subjects.
• Circulating E-selectin (cE-selectin) levels did not correlate with age, and no associations were found between cCAMs and serum lipid levels.

Conclusions:

• Circulating VCAM-1 is an age-dependent biomarker.
• The age-related increase in cVCAM-1 is independent of established cardiovascular risk factors.
• cVCAM-1 may serve as a marker of biological aging.