Plasma proteins associated with cardiovascular disease in relation to lung function in SCAPIS

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular disease research
• Pulmonary function studies
• Proteomics and biomarker discovery

Background:

• Low lung function is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD).
• The biological mechanisms linking lung function and CVD remain unclear.
• Investigating plasma proteins associated with CVD may elucidate these mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the associations between plasma proteins linked to cardiovascular disease and measures of lung function.
• To identify specific proteins that may mediate the relationship between lung function and CVD risk.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of plasma protein profiles in two large Swedish population cohorts (SCAPIS, n=4,982 and pilot study, n=1,054).
• Utilized multiple linear regression to assess associations between 92 CVD-associated proteins and lung function parameters (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC).
• Adjusted for confounders and applied Benjamini-Hochberg correction for multiple testing, with validation in a replication cohort.

Main Results:

• A significant number of proteins were associated with lung function: 69 with FEV1, 57 with FVC, and 9 with FEV1/FVC.
• Inflammatory proteins and adipokines, notably leptin and interleukin-6, were consistently linked to lower lung function.
• Leptin exhibited the strongest negative association with both FEV1 and FVC.

Conclusions:

• CVD-associated proteins, particularly those involved in inflammation and metabolism, are linked to reduced lung function (FEV1 and FVC).
• Findings support a connection between systemic inflammation, adipokine metabolism, and impaired lung function.
• Leptin's strong association suggests potential roles beyond adiposity, warranting further investigation for biomarker and therapeutic potential.