Association between absolute blood eosinophil count and carotid plaque and coronary artery calcification in the
Nyla E Mathis1, Mats W Johansson2, Spencer L Hansen3
1University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 600 Highland Ave., Madison, WI 53792, United States.
Insights
Higher blood eosinophil counts are linked to greater imaging evidence of atherosclerosis in arteries. This suggests eosinophilic inflammation may play a role in the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Immunology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Prior research indicates a connection between eosinophil activation products and stroke risk.
- Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell involved in immune responses.
- Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) involves plaque buildup in arteries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if circulating eosinophil concentration is associated with imaging markers of ASCVD.
- To analyze these associations in two key arterial beds: carotid artery plaque (CAP) and coronary artery calcium (CAC).
Main Methods:
- The study utilized data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) cohort.
- Participants aged 45-84 without baseline ASCVD were analyzed.
- Blood eosinophil counts, CAP, and CAC scores were measured and analyzed using logistic and linear regression, adjusting for confounders.
Main Results:
- Increased blood eosinophil counts were independently associated with higher CAP and CAC scores.
- Eosinophil concentration also showed a significant association with the presence of CAP and CAC.
- These associations remained significant after adjusting for ASCVD risk factors.
Conclusions:
- Blood eosinophil concentration is independently linked to imaging markers of atherosclerosis in both carotid and coronary arteries.
- These findings suggest a potential role for eosinophilic inflammation in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
- Further research is warranted to explore the mechanisms underlying this association.
Abstract:
Prior studies have demonstrated associations between eosinophil activation products and incident stroke. We investigated whether circulating eosinophil concentration is associated with imaging markers of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), analyzing 2 arterial beds (carotid artery plaque [CAP] and coronary artery calcium [CAC]) in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). The MESA enrolled individuals aged 45 to 84, without ASCVD at baseline. ASCVD risk factors, blood eosinophils, CAP presence/score (0 to 12), and CAC presence/Agatston score were measured at MESA Exam No. 5. Using logistic and linear regression analyses, the relationships between blood eosinophils, CAP or CAC presence, or scores (log[score + 1]), adjusted for confounders, were evaluated. The 2,166 participants were a mean (standard deviation [SD]) 69.6 (9.3) years old, 53% female, 29% Hispanic, 28% Black, 1% Chinese American. The eosinophil count was median (interquartile range) 0.10 (0.10, 0.20)×103/μl, CAP score 2 (0, 4), and CAC score 45 (0, 292) Agatston units. In risk-factor adjusted models, increased blood eosinophil count (per 1 SD [0.15 × 103/μl]) was associated with log scores of CAP (β: 0.05 [95% confidence interval 0.02 to 0.08, P = 0.001) or CAC (β: 0.11, [0.01 to 0.21], P = 0.03). Similar associations were observed for eosinophils and CAP (odds ratio [OR]: 1.12, [1.01 to 1.25], P = 0.03) and CAC (OR: 1.15, [1.02 to 1.30], P = 0.02) presence. In conclusion, in a large, multiethnic US cohort, blood eosinophils were independently linked to imaging atherosclerosis measures in 2 arterial distributions. These data suggest potential roles of eosinophilic inflammation in atherosclerosis.
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