Evaluation of ABO blood group in subjects with CVD risk factors in a population sample from northeastern Iran

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Disease Research
• Immunogenetics
• Biomarker Discovery

Background:

• The ABO blood group system influences von Willebrand factor clearance.
• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessment benefits from novel biomarkers.
• Genetic variations like blood groups may impact disease susceptibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between ABO blood groups and newer CVD risk biomarkers.
• To compare levels of pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB), hs-CRP, and anti-Hsp27 antibody titers across blood groups.
• To explore these associations in the presence or absence of traditional CVD risk factors.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 6910 participants.
• ABO blood groups were identified using the slide test method (antigen-antibody agglutination).
• Levels of serum PAB, hs-CRP, and anti-Hsp27 antibody titers were measured.

Main Results:

• Serum anti-Hsp27 antibody titers significantly differed among ABO blood groups, being highest in AB and lowest in O blood groups.
• Higher anti-Hsp27 levels were observed in AB individuals with metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and obesity.
• Serum PAB and hs-CRP showed no significant differences between blood groups, even in subgroups with or without diabetes mellitus.

Conclusions:

• Individuals with AB blood group and elevated anti-Hsp27 may have a predisposition to CVD, potentially mediated by traditional risk factors.
• The observed differences in anti-Hsp27 appear linked to the presence of other risk factors, suggesting a consequential rather than causal role of blood group differences.
• These findings highlight the potential role of anti-Hsp27 as a blood group-associated CVD risk marker.