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Updated: Feb 9, 2026
Coronary Progenitor Cells and Soluble Biomarkers in Cardiovascular Prognosis after Coronary Angioplasty
Published on: January 28, 2020
Relationship between circulating VCAM-1, ICAM-1, E-selectin and MMP9 and the extent of coronary lesions
Jéssica Cavalcante Dos Santos1, Marina Sampaio Cruz1, Raul Hernandes Bortolin1
1Departamento de Analises Clinicas e Toxicologicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, BR.
Insights
Elevated vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) serum levels correlate with the severity of coronary artery lesions, potentially aiding cardiovascular risk assessment in patients without acute coronary syndrome.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Biomarker Research
- Atherosclerosis Studies
Background:
- Atherosclerosis, a precursor to cardiovascular disorders, involves inflammatory molecules.
- The predictive value of circulating inflammatory molecules for cardiovascular risk remains under-investigated.
- Specific adhesion molecules and matrix metalloproteinases are implicated in vascular inflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between serum concentrations of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, E-selectin, and MMP-9 and the extent of coronary lesions.
- To determine if these biomarkers can predict cardiovascular risk.
- To explore novel markers for cardiovascular risk stratification.
Main Methods:
- Seventy-four patients undergoing coronary angiography were analyzed.
- Coronary lesion severity was quantified using the Friesinger Index.
- Serum levels of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, E-selectin, and MMP-9 were measured.
Main Results:
- Higher VCAM-1 concentrations (>876 ng/mL) were significantly associated with intermediate and major coronary lesions (p<0.001, p=0.020).
- Logistic regression indicated an increased risk of intermediate lesions in patients with elevated VCAM-1 (p=0.007).
- No significant associations were found for ICAM-1, E-selectin, or MMP-9 with lesion extent.
Conclusions:
- Serum VCAM-1 may be a valuable biomarker for assessing the extent of coronary lesions.
- VCAM-1 could potentially enhance cardiovascular risk classification, particularly in patients without acute coronary syndrome.
Objectives:
Inflammatory molecules play a role in the development of atherosclerosis, which is the primary origin of cardiovascular disorders. However, to the best of our knowledge, no study has attempted to investigate the relationship between these circulating molecules and the prediction of cardiovascular risk. The present study aimed to investigate the relationships of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, E-selectin and matrix metalloproteinase 9 serum concentrations with the extent of coronary lesions.
Methods:
Seventy-four individuals who were undergoing coronary angiography for the first time for diagnostic purposes were enrolled in this study. The extent of the coronary lesion was assessed using the Friesinger Index, and subjects were classified into four groups: no lesions, minor lesions, intermediate lesions and major lesions. Serum biochemical parameters and serum concentrations of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, E-selectin and matrix metalloproteinase 9 were analyzed.
Results:
The vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 concentration was higher than 876 ng/mL in individuals with intermediate and major lesions (p<0.001 and p=0.020, respectively). Moreover, logistic regression analysis showed that these patients had an increased risk of having an intermediate lesion (p=0.007). Interestingly, all individuals with major lesions had vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 concentrations higher than 876 ng/mL. No association was found between the concentrations of the other proteins and the Friesinger Index.
Conclusions:
Serum vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 may be associated with the extent of coronary lesions. Moreover, it may represent an alternative to improve the cardiovascular risk classification in patients without acute coronary syndrome.
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