Alternative Complement Pathway in Carotid Atherosclerosis: Low Plasma Properdin Levels Associate With Long-Term Cardiovascular Mortality.

Background: Complement activation may promote atherosclerosis. Yet, data on the to which extent complement, and more specifically the alternative complement pathway, is activated in patients with carotid atherosclerosis and related to adverse outcome in these patients, are scarce.

Methods And Results: We measured, by ELISA, plasma levels of factor D, properdin, C3bBbP (C3 convertase), and factor H in patients with advanced carotid atherosclerosis in a (n=324) and in a (n=206) cohort in relation to adverse outcome (mean follow-up 7.

Dysregulation of MMP2-dependent TGF-ß2 activation impairs fibrous cap formation in type 2 diabetes-associated atherosclerosis.

Type 2 diabetes is associated with cardiovascular disease, possibly due to impaired vascular fibrous repair. Yet, the mechanisms are elusive. Here, we investigate alterations in the fibrous repair processes in type 2 diabetes atherosclerotic plaque extracellular matrix by combining multi-omics from the human Carotid Plaque Imaging Project cohort and functional studies.

Lipoproteins and lipoprotein lipid composition are associated with stages of dysglycemia and subclinical coronary atherosclerosis.

Background: Dyslipidaemia in patients with diabetes contributes to the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. We aimed to identify a dyslipidemic profile associated with both dysglycemia and subclinical coronary atherosclerosis.

Methods: Study participants (n = 5050) were classified in three groups: normoglycemia, pre-diabetes, and diabetes.