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Coronary Progenitor Cells and Soluble Biomarkers in Cardiovascular Prognosis after Coronary Angioplasty
Published on: January 28, 2020
Increased plasma concentration of matrix metalloproteinase-7 in patients with coronary artery disease
Lennart Nilsson1, Lena Jonasson, Johnny Nijm
1Department of Cardiology, Heart Center, University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden.
Background:
Plaque rupture is often associated with breakdown of the extracellular matrix in the shoulder region of a plaque. We tested whether plasma concentrations of various matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) could serve as markers for plaque instability as well as relationships between plasma MMPs and inflammatory markers.
Methods:
The study group included 65 men with angiographically verified CAD (45 with stable and 20 with unstable CAD) and 28 healthy controls. Circulating MMP, TIMP-1, C-reactive protein, and cytokine concentrations were measured by ELISA. Leukocyte subtype counts in whole blood were determined, and T-cell subsets and natural killer cells were measured by flow cytometry. Differences in continuous variables between groups were tested by ANOVA with the Scheffé F-test used as a post hoc test, and correlations were analyzed by a linear regression method.
Results:
The plasma concentration of MMP-7 was increased in patients with stable and unstable CAD, whereas MMP-2 and -3 concentrations were decreased. The plasma concentration of TIMP-1 was significantly increased in patients with unstable CAD. MMP-2, -3, and -7 showed no correlations with established markers of inflammation. However, MMP-2 correlated positively with the number of natural killer cells in patients with stable and unstable CAD.
Conclusion:
Plasma concentrations of MMPs and TIMPs may be markers of CAD but appear to be differentially regulated.
Insights
Plasma matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) may indicate coronary artery disease (CAD) instability. Concentrations of MMP-7 increased, while MMP-2 and -3 decreased in CAD patients, with TIMP-1 elevated in unstable CAD.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Biomarker Discovery
- Proteomics
Background:
- Plaque rupture, a key event in cardiovascular disease, involves extracellular matrix degradation.
- Investigating matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) as potential markers for plaque instability is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if plasma MMP and TIMP-1 concentrations serve as indicators of plaque instability in coronary artery disease (CAD).
- To explore the relationships between plasma MMP levels and inflammatory markers.
Main Methods:
- Study included 65 men with CAD (stable and unstable) and 28 healthy controls.
- Plasma concentrations of MMPs, TIMP-1, C-reactive protein, and cytokines were measured via ELISA.
- Leukocyte subtypes, T-cell subsets, and natural killer cells were analyzed using flow cytometry.
Main Results:
- MMP-7 plasma levels were elevated in both stable and unstable CAD patients; MMP-2 and -3 levels were decreased.
- TIMP-1 plasma concentration was significantly higher in patients with unstable CAD.
- MMP-2 showed a positive correlation with natural killer cell counts in CAD patients.
Conclusions:
- Plasma MMPs and TIMPs show potential as biomarkers for CAD.
- The regulation of MMPs and TIMPs appears to be differential in the context of CAD.
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