Association of human cathelicidin (hCAP-18/LL-37) gene expression with cardiovascular disease risk factors

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Genetics

Background:

• Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are key components of the innate immune system.
• Emerging evidence links AMPs to various inflammatory diseases.
• The role of cathelicidin LL-37 in cardiovascular health requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between cathelicidin LL-37 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and cardiovascular risk factors.
• To determine if these associations differ between men and women.
• To assess the independence of these associations from common anthropometric measures.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative RT-PCR was used to measure LL-37 mRNA expression in PBMCs from 177 individuals (90 men, 87 women) from the STANISLAS cohort.
• Standard anthropometric measurements and biochemical profiles were assessed.
• Multiple regression analysis was performed to adjust for covariates like BMI and waist circumference.

Main Results:

• In women, LL-37 expression correlated positively with BMI, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, and triglycerides, and negatively with HDL-C.
• In men, LL-37 expression showed positive associations with waist-to-hip ratio, systolic blood pressure, triglycerides, fasting glucose, ALT activity, and neutrophil counts, and negative associations with lymphocyte counts, HDL-C, and apoA-I.
• After adjusting for BMI and waist circumference, LL-37 remained significantly associated with SBP, HDL-C, fasting glucose, ALT activity, and neutrophil and lymphocyte counts in men.

Conclusions:

• LL-37 gene expression in PBMCs is closely associated with multiple cardiovascular risk factors.
• These associations appear to be independent of BMI and waist circumference, particularly in men.
• Further functional studies are warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms underlying these findings.