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Published on: January 28, 2020
Endogenous bioactive peptides as potential biomarkers for atherosclerotic coronary heart disease
Takuya Watanabe1, Kengo Sato, Fumiko Itoh
1Laboratory of Cardiovascular Medicine, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo, Japan. watanabe@toyaku.ac.jp
Insights
Novel anti-atherogenic peptides like salusin-α show promise as early biomarkers for coronary artery disease (CAD). Lower blood levels of these peptides, including adiponectin, heregulin-β(1), and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), indicate CAD presence.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cardiology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major global health concern, driving significant mortality and healthcare costs.
- Early diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) is crucial for effective management and improved patient outcomes.
- Identifying novel biomarkers for atherosclerotic CAD can enhance diagnostic capabilities and risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To screen and evaluate novel bioactive peptides as potential early diagnostic biomarkers for atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD).
- To investigate the anti-atherogenic properties of specific peptides and their role in disease progression.
- To assess the diagnostic utility of circulating peptide levels in patients with and without CAD.
Main Methods:
- Screening of various bioactive peptides for their potential to detect atherosclerotic CAD.
- In vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies to assess the effects of adiponectin, heregulin-β(1), glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and salusin-α on atherosclerotic lesion development.
- Analysis of circulating peptide levels in CAD patients versus controls using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.
Main Results:
- Adiponectin, heregulin-β(1), GLP-1, and salusin-α were found to attenuate atherosclerotic lesion progression by suppressing macrophage foam cell formation.
- Circulating levels of these peptides were significantly lower in patients with CAD compared to those without CAD.
- Salusin-α demonstrated superior sensitivity and specificity as a biomarker for CAD detection compared to the other evaluated peptides.
Conclusions:
- Salusin-α, heregulin-β(1), adiponectin, and GLP-1 exhibit anti-atherogenic properties and are decreased in patients with CAD.
- These peptides, particularly salusin-α, alone or in combination, represent promising novel biomarkers for the early diagnosis of atherosclerotic CAD.
- Further validation of these peptide biomarkers could lead to improved diagnostic strategies for cardiovascular disease.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, with high medical costs and rates of disability. It is therefore important to evaluate the use of cardiovascular biomarkers in the early diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD). We have screened a variety of recently identified bioactive peptides candidates in anticipation that they would allow detection of atherosclerotic CAD. Especially, we have focused on novel anti-atherogenic peptides as indicators and negative risk factors for CAD. In vitro, in vivo and clinical studies indicated that human adiponectin, heregulin-β(1), glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and salusin-α, peptides of 244, 71, 30, and 28 amino acids, respectively, attenuate the development and progression of atherosclerotic lesions by suppressing macrophage foam cell formation via down-regulation of acyl-coenzyme A: cholesterol acyltransferase-1. Circulating levels of these peptides in the blood are significantly decreased in patients with CAD compared to patients without CAD. Receiver operating characteristic analyses showed that salusin-α is a more useful biomarker, with better sensitivity and specificity, compared with the others for detecting CAD. Therefore, salusin-α, heregulin-β(1), adiponectin, and/or GLP-1, alone or in various combinations, may be useful as biomarkers for atherosclerotic CAD.
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