Circulating protein biomarkers and their association with vulnerable plaque characteristics - a PROSPECT II substudy

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Biomarker Discovery
• Atherosclerosis Research

Background:

• Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) characterize coronary atherosclerotic plaques.
• NIRS-derived lipid core burden index (LCBI) and IVUS-derived plaque burden (PB) identify plaques linked to adverse cardiovascular events.

Purpose of the Study:

• Identify plasma protein biomarkers associated with coronary plaque burden (PB) and lipid core burden index (LCBI).
• Explore the relationship between specific biomarkers and vulnerable plaque characteristics.

Main Methods:

• Analyzed plasma from 898 myocardial infarction patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.
• Measured 179 cardiovascular disease-associated proteins and used combined NIRS-IVUS catheterization.
• Employed adjusted linear regression, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and Cox proportional models.

Main Results:

• 24 proteins associated with PB, 28 with LCBI; 8 biomarkers linked to both.
• IL-18R1 and CSF-1 strongly associated with PB.
• ANGPTL3 associated with LCBI, indicating a role in lipid accumulation and vulnerable plaque development.

Conclusions:

• Distinct protein biomarker patterns correlate with plaque burden and lipid accumulation.
• IL-18R1, CSF-1, and ANGPTL3 serve as potential indicators for plaque vulnerability and cardiovascular risk.
• Findings advance understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying atherosclerosis progression.