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Micropatterning and Assembly of 3D Microvessels
Published on: September 9, 2016
Circulating endothelial microparticles are elevated in bicuspid aortic valve disease and related to aortic dilation
Josep M Alegret1, Neus Martínez-Micaelo1, Gerard Aragonès1
1Grup de Recerca Cardiovascular, Servei de Cardiologia, Hospital Universitari de Sant Joan, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain.
Background/Objectives:
The mechanisms underlying aortic dilation in bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) disease are unknown. Circulating endothelial microparticles (EMPs) have emerged as biomarkers of endothelial damage. We sought to evaluate the relationships among EMPs, BAV disease, and aortic dilation.
Methods:
Four evaluations were used. Circulating EMPs (PECAM(+), E-selectin(+)) were compared between BAV patients and tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) control subjects. The variables related to circulating EMPs were investigated in BAV patients. Circulating EMP levels were compared between BAV and TAV patients with a dilated aorta. Finally, circulating EMPs in BAV patients were evaluated over time with respect to aortic valve surgery (AVS) or aortic surgery.
Results:
We observed higher levels of circulating PECAM(+) EMPs in the BAV patients than in the control subjects (3.98±0.2 vs. 2.39±0.4 per log PECAM(+) EMPs/μl, p=0.001). Aortic dilation was the most significant variable that correlated with the PECAM(+) EMP levels in the BAV patients (β=0.321, p=0.008). The BAV patients with aortic dilation exhibited higher PECAM(+)EMP levels than the TAV patients with dilated aortas, and this correlation was independent of aortic valve function. We observed a drastic decrease in the circulating PECAM(+) EMPs following AVS and aortic root replacement (4.27±0.6 and 1.75±0.3 per log PECAM(+)EMPs/μl, p=0.002).
Conclusion:
The observed pattern of higher circulating PECAM(+) EMP levels links BAV disease to endothelial damage and aortic dilation. Circulating PECAM(+) EMPs were identified as a biological variable related to aortic dilation in patients with BAV disease.
Insights
Elevated endothelial microparticles (EMPs) in bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) disease correlate with aortic dilation, indicating endothelial damage. These EMPs decrease significantly after aortic valve surgery, suggesting a potential biomarker for disease progression.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Vascular Medicine
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) disease mechanisms causing aortic dilation remain unclear.
- Endothelial microparticles (EMPs) are emerging biomarkers for endothelial damage.
- This study investigates the link between EMPs, BAV, and aortic dilation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the relationship between circulating EMPs and aortic dilation in BAV patients.
- To compare EMP levels in BAV patients versus tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) controls.
- To assess the impact of aortic valve surgery (AVS) on EMP levels in BAV patients.
Main Methods:
- Compared circulating PECAM(+) and E-selectin(+) EMPs between BAV and TAV subjects.
- Investigated variables associated with EMP levels in BAV patients.
- Assessed EMP levels in relation to aortic dilation and over time post-surgery.
Main Results:
- BAV patients showed significantly higher PECAM(+) EMP levels than TAV controls.
- Aortic dilation was the strongest predictor of PECAM(+) EMP levels in BAV patients.
- EMPs were higher in BAV patients with dilation, independent of valve function, and decreased post-surgery.
Conclusions:
- Higher circulating PECAM(+) EMP levels in BAV disease are linked to endothelial damage and aortic dilation.
- Circulating PECAM(+) EMPs represent a significant biological variable associated with aortic dilation in BAV patients.
