Matrix Metalloproteinases 7 and 10 Are Prognostic Biomarkers for Systemic Cardiovascular Risk in Individuals with...

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Biomarker Discovery
• Extracellular Matrix Biology

Background:

• Peripheral artery disease (PAD) significantly increases the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including myocardial infarction and stroke.
• Current methods for predicting MACE in PAD patients are limited, highlighting the need for novel biomarkers.
• Extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling proteins are implicated in atherosclerosis and may offer predictive value for cardiovascular risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a panel of circulating ECM-remodeling proteins for their ability to predict 2-year MACE in individuals with PAD.
• To identify specific ECM proteins that serve as independent predictors of cardiovascular events in the PAD population.

Main Methods:

• A prospective cohort of 465 PAD patients was followed for 24 months.
• Plasma levels of nine ECM-related proteins were quantified at baseline.
• Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the independent association of each protein with 2-year MACE, adjusting for baseline variables.

Main Results:

• Over two years, 18.1% of patients experienced MACE.
• Elevated plasma levels of matrix metalloproteinase-10 (MMP-10) and matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) were significantly associated with MACE.
• Both MMP-10 and MMP-7 independently predicted 2-year MACE, with specific associations observed in diabetic patients (MMP-10) and female patients (MMP-7).

Conclusions:

• MMP-10 and MMP-7 are identified as independent biomarkers for predicting 2-year MACE in PAD patients.
• These proteins can enhance cardiovascular risk stratification in PAD.
• Measuring MMP-10 and MMP-7 may improve clinical decision-making for high-risk PAD patients, potentially leading to intensified treatment and reduced complications.