Increased IL-37 concentrations in patients with arterial calcification

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Biology
• Immunology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Previous research identified Interleukin-37 (IL-37) as crucial in atherosclerosis and arterial calcification.
• The specific changes in IL-37 concentrations in patients with arterial calcification remained uninvestigated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate IL-37 expression in arterial calcification.
• To determine plasma IL-37 concentrations in patients with and without coronary artery calcification (CAC).

Main Methods:

• Immunohistochemistry used to assess IL-37 expression in arterial wall specimens from diabetic and trauma patients.
• Plasma IL-37 levels measured in 75 CAC patients and 50 non-CAC (NCAC) patients.
• Correlation and regression analyses performed to identify associations with clinical parameters and CAC presence.

Main Results:

• IL-37 was highly expressed in calcified arterial samples and lowly in normal arteries.
• Macrophages and vascular smooth muscle cells identified as primary IL-37 sources.
• CAC patients exhibited significantly higher plasma IL-37 than NCAC patients, with positive correlations to age, glucose, inflammatory markers, and calcification scores.

Conclusions:

• Elevated IL-37 concentrations are linked to the development of arterial calcification.
• IL-37 may serve as a potential biomarker for arterial calcification.