Vasoregulatory Autoantibodies and Clinical Outcome After Ischemic Stroke-PROSCIS-B
Thomas G Liman1,2,3, Bob Siegerink4, Sophie Piper5
1Center for Stroke Research Berlin (CSB) Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin Berlin Germany.
Journal of the American Heart Association
|November 28, 2023
Summary
High levels of autoantibodies targeting specific receptors are linked to worse functional outcomes after ischemic stroke. These autoantibodies do not appear to increase the risk of secondary vascular events or death.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neurology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Vasoregulatory autoantibodies, including those targeting G-protein-coupled receptors, may influence vascular diseases.
- The role of these autoantibodies in the clinical outcome of ischemic stroke patients requires investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of vasoregulatory autoantibodies on clinical outcomes in patients following an ischemic stroke.
- To explore associations between autoantibody levels and functional outcomes, longitudinal functional recovery, and secondary vascular events.
Main Methods:
- The study utilized data from the Prospective Cohort With Incident Stroke-Berlin (PROSCIS-B) cohort.
- Autoantibodies targeting specific receptors (AT1R, ETA-R, C3aR, C5aR, VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, VEGF-A, VEGF-B) were measured in 491 ischemic stroke patients.
- Statistical models (logistic regression, GEE, Cox proportional hazards) were used to assess associations with functional outcome, Barthel Index scores, and secondary vascular events up to 3 years post-stroke.
Main Results:
- High autoantibody concentrations targeting complement factor C3a receptor, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2, and vascular endothelial growth factor B were associated with poor functional outcome at 1 year post-stroke.
- Elevated levels of autoantibodies against complement factor C3a receptor and vascular endothelial growth factor B correlated with lower Barthel Index scores over 3 years.
- No increased risk for secondary vascular events or death was observed in patients with high autoantibody levels.
Conclusions:
- High autoantibody levels against vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2, vascular endothelial growth factor B, and complement factor C3a receptor are associated with poor functional outcomes after ischemic stroke.
- These autoantibodies do not appear to predict recurrent vascular events or mortality in the studied cohort.
