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Quantification of Monocyte Transmigration and Foam Cell Formation from Individuals with Chronic Inflammatory Conditions
Published on: October 17, 2017
Monocyte subtype counts are associated with 10-year cardiovascular disease risk as determined by the Framingham Risk
Samira Zeynalova1,2, Karolin Bucksch2, Markus Scholz1,2
1LIFE-Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, Universität Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
Insights
Elevated white blood cell counts, specifically monocyte subtypes, are linked to higher cardiovascular disease risk. These inflammation biomarkers may improve prediction beyond traditional scores.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Immunology
- Biomarkers
Background:
- Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a leading global cause of mortality, driven by systemic inflammation.
- White blood cells, particularly monocyte subtypes, serve as accessible biomarkers for inflammation.
- Understanding monocyte associations with cardiovascular risk can enhance disease prediction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between monocyte counts (total and subtypes) and cardiovascular risk groups defined by the Framingham Risk Score (FRS).
- To investigate if monocyte counts correlate with cardiovascular risk factors beyond the FRS, such as carotid atherosclerosis.
- To assess the predictive value of monocytes for cardiovascular disease risk.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the population-based LIFE-Adult study (n=690).
- Measured monocyte subtypes (classical, intermediate, non-classical) via 10-color flow cytometry.
- Employed multivariate regression analysis, adjusting for factors like BMI, carotid intima-media thickness, and diabetes mellitus.
Main Results:
- Monocyte subtypes and total count showed significant associations with dichotomized Framingham Risk Score (≥10% vs. <10%).
- Odds ratios indicated increased risk with higher counts across all monocyte subtypes.
- Monocyte counts demonstrated potential predictive value for cardiovascular disease risk.
Conclusions:
- Monocyte total count and its subtypes are significantly associated with cardiovascular risk stratification.
- Monocyte analysis may offer additional predictive insights for cardiovascular disease.
- These findings highlight the role of inflammation in cardiovascular risk assessment.
Abstract:
Coronary heart disease, an inflammatory disease, is the leading cause of death globally. White blood cell counts (including monocytes) are easily available biomarkers of systemic inflammation. Monocyte subtypes can be measured by flow cytometry and classified into classical (CD14high, CD16neg), intermediate (CD14high, CD16+) and non-classical (CD14+, CD16high) with distinct functional properties. The goal of this study was to investigate the association of monocyte total count and its subtypes with cardiovascular risk groups defined by the Framingham Risk Score, which is used to estimate the 10-year risk of developing myocardial infarction or predict mortality following coronary heart disease. We also aimed to investigate whether monocyte counts are associated with relevant cardiovascular risk factors not included in the Framingham Risk Score, such as carotid atherosclerotic plaque and intima-media thickness. Our data came from the LIFE-Adult study, a population-based cohort study of 10,000 randomly selected participants in Leipzig, Germany. Data was gathered using self-administered questionnaires and physical examinations. Carotid plaques and intima-media thickness were measured using carotid artery sonography. Monocyte subtypes in blood were determined by 10-color flow cytometry for a total of 690 individuals. In a multivariate regression analysis adjusting for the risk factors BMI, intima-media thickness, presence of carotid plaques and diabetes mellitus, monocyte subtypes and total count were found to be significantly associated with the dichotomized Framingham Risk Score (≥10% versus <10%): Odds ratios [95% confidence interval] for monocyte subtypes: classical: 11.19 [3.79-34.26]; intermediate: 2.27 [1.11-4.71]; non-classical: 4.18 [1.75-10.20]; total: 14.59 [4.61-47.95]. In absence of prospective data, the FRS was used as a surrogate for CHD. Our results indicate that monocyte counts could provide useful predictive value for cardiovascular disease risk.
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