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Apolipoprotein Profiles in Very Preterm and Term-Born Preschool Children
Anna Posod1, Raimund Pechlaner2, Xiaoke Yin3
11 Pediatrics II (Neonatology) Department of Pediatrics Medical University of Innsbruck Austria.
Insights
Plasma apolipoprotein profiles in preschoolers reveal differences linked to prematurity. Very preterm children have higher levels of certain apolipoproteins, potentially impacting future cardiometabolic health.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Metabolomics
Background:
- Limited data exists on plasma apolipoprotein profiles in preschool children, especially comparing term-born and very preterm-born individuals.
- Understanding these profiles is crucial as apolipoprotein composition may influence long-term cardiometabolic health.
- Apolipoproteins are key components of lipoproteins, influencing lipid transport and metabolism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize plasma apolipoprotein profiles in preschool children (5-7 years) born at term versus very preterm (<32 weeks gestation).
- To compare these profiles with adult apolipoprotein levels.
- To investigate potential differences in apolipoprotein distribution on high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles between children and adults.
Main Methods:
- Plasma samples from 26 term-born and 38 very preterm-born children were analyzed using multiple-reaction monitoring-based mass spectrometry to quantify 12 apolipoproteins.
- Key findings were validated using antibody-based assays.
- Hierarchical clustering and correlation analyses were performed to assess apolipoprotein associations with HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I.
Main Results:
- Very preterm children exhibited significantly higher concentrations of apolipoprotein A-I, A-IV, C-II, and C-III compared to term-born children.
- Term-born children displayed apolipoprotein C-II and C-III levels comparable to adult ranges.
- Children, particularly preterm-born, showed a distinct HDL-associated apolipoprotein pattern compared to adults, with higher proportions of apolipoprotein C-II and C-III relative to HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I.
Conclusions:
- This study establishes reference apolipoprotein profiles for preschool children and highlights potential impacts of prematurity.
- Elevated apolipoprotein C-II and C-III levels in very preterm children may represent a unique apolipoprotein signature.
- Further research is needed to determine if this prematurity-associated signature predicts adverse cardiometabolic outcomes later in life.
Abstract:
Background Little is known about plasma apolipoprotein profiles in very preterm-born and term-born preschool children compared with the adult population. This is of particular interest because apolipoprotein composition might contribute to cardiometabolic outcome in later life. Methods and Results Children aged 5 to 7 years born at term or with <32 weeks of gestation were included. Apolipoprotein concentrations were measured in plasma collected after an overnight fast using multiple-reaction monitoring-based mass spectrometry. Twelve apolipoproteins were measured in 26 former term and 38 former very preterm infants. Key findings were confirmed by assessing apolipoprotein levels using antibody-based assays. Comparing children born term and preterm, apolipoprotein A-I, A- IV , C- II , and C- III were significantly higher in the latter group. Term-born children showed plasma levels of apolipoprotein C- II and C- III quantitatively similar to the adult range (Bruneck study). Hierarchical clustering analyses suggested that a higher proportion of apolipoprotein C- III and C- II reside on high-density lipoprotein particles in children than in adults given the marked correlations of apolipoprotein C- III and C- II with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I in children but not adults. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations were similar in children and adults but the pattern of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol-associated apolipoproteins was different (lower apolipoprotein A-I and C-I but higher A- II , A- IV , and M). Conclusions Our study defines apolipoprotein profiles in preschoolers and reports potential effects of prematurity. Further large-scale studies are required to provide evidence whether this apolipoprotein signature of prematurity, including high apolipoprotein C- II and C- III levels, might translate into adverse cardiometabolic outcome in later life.
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