Circulating CD14CD16 classical monocytes do not associate with a vulnerable plaque phenotype, and do not predict secondary events in severe atherosclerotic patients.

Aims: Mouse studies have established distinct monocyte subtypes that participate in the process of atherosclerotic lesion formation. The pro-inflammatory Ly6C monocyte subtype actively contributes to murine plaque progression and destabilization. Also in humans, different peripheral monocyte subtypes have been identified, of which the CD14CD16 classical monocyte is suggested to display similar pro-atherosclerotic properties as the murine Ly6C subtype.

Lowering Low-Density Lipoprotein Particles in Plasma Using Dextran Sulphate Co-Precipitates Procoagulant Extracellular Vesicles.

Plasma extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid membrane vesicles involved in several biological processes including coagulation. Both coagulation and lipid metabolism are strongly associated with cardiovascular events. Lowering very-low- and low-density lipoprotein ((V)LDL) particles via dextran sulphate LDL apheresis also removes coagulation proteins.

Leukocyte-Associated Immunoglobulin-like Receptor-1 is regulated in human myocardial infarction but its absence does not affect infarct size in mice.

Heart failure after myocardial infarction (MI) depends on infarct size and adverse left ventricular (LV) remodelling, both influenced by the inflammatory response. Leukocyte-associated immunoglobulin-like receptor 1 (LAIR-1) is an inhibitory receptor of ITAM-dependent cell activation, present on almost all immune cells. We investigated regulation of LAIR-1 leukocyte expression after MI in patients and hypothesized that its absence in a mouse model of MI would increase infarct size and adverse remodelling.

Complement 5a Receptor deficiency does not influence adverse cardiac remodeling after pressure-overload in mice.

Hypertension is one of the most common risk factors for the development heart failure in the general population. Inflammation plays a central role in this adverse remodeling and eventually to the development of heart failure. Circulating levels of Complement factor 5a (C5a) are increased in hypertensive patients and the C5a receptor is associated with the presence of cardiac fibrosis and inflammation in an experimental hypertension model.

High Levels of (Un)Switched Memory B Cells Are Associated With Better Outcome in Patients With Advanced Atherosclerotic Disease.

Background: Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory lipid disorder and the main underlying pathology of acute ischemic events. Despite a vast amount of data from murine atherosclerosis models, evidence of B-cell involvement in human atherosclerotic disease is limited. We therefore investigated the association of circulating B-cell subtypes with the occurrence of secondary cardiovascular events in advanced atherosclerotic disease.

Variants in ALOX5, ALOX5AP and LTA4H are not associated with atherosclerotic plaque phenotypes: the Athero-Express Genomics Study.

Background: The eicosanoid genes ALOX5, ALOX5AP and LTA4H have been implicated in atherosclerosis. We assessed the impact of common variants in these genes on gene expression, circulating protein levels, and atherosclerotic plaque phenotypes.

Methods: We included patients from the Stockholm Atherosclerosis Gene Expression study (STAGE, N = 109), and the Athero-Express Biobank Study (AE, N = 1443).

Leukotriene B4 levels in human atherosclerotic plaques and abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Background: Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) has been associated with the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) formation. However, associations of LTB4 levels with tissue characteristics and adverse clinical outcome of advanced atherosclerosis and AAA are scarcely studied. We hypothesized that LTB4 levels are associated with a vulnerable plaque phenotype and adverse clinical outcome.

Extracellular vesicle-derived CD14 is independently associated with the extent of cardiovascular disease burden in patients with manifest vascular disease.

Background: In patients with established cardiovascular disease, high levels of the extracellular vesicle (EV)-derived proteins cystatin C, CD14, and α2-antiplasmin predict recurrent cardiovascular events. We examined whether these proteins are associated with the extent of vascular disease.

Methods: In 1062 patients from the SMART (Secondary Manifestations in ARTerial disease) study, EVs were isolated from plasma at baseline.

Sex is associated with the presence of atherosclerotic plaque hemorrhage and modifies the relation between plaque hemorrhage and cardiovascular outcome.

Background And Purpose: Plaque hemorrhage (PH) may lead to accelerated progression of atherosclerotic disease. The presence of local PH in the carotid plaque predicts future cardiovascular events in any vascular territory. We investigated the prevalence of local PH and the predictive value of PH for the occurrence of cardiovascular events in men and women separately.

Serum extracellular vesicle protein levels are associated with acute coronary syndrome.

Aims: Biomarkers are essential in the early detection of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Serum extracellular vesicles are small vesicles in the plasma containing protein and RNA and have been shown to be involved in ACS-related processes like apoptosis and coagulation. Therefore, we hypothesized that serum extracellular vesicle protein levels are associated with ACS.

Mast cells in human carotid atherosclerotic plaques are associated with intraplaque microvessel density and the occurrence of future cardiovascular events.

Aims: Human autopsy, animal, and cell culture studies together have merged in a concept suggesting participation of mast cells (MCs) in the generation of atherosclerotic plaques. More specifically, these studies have suggested MC-induced intraplaque neovascularization as one mechanism by which MCs may render the plaques vulnerable. The present study was designed to assess the association between MC numbers and neovascularization in human atherosclerotic plaques, and to relate the abundance of plaque MCs to the occurrence of adverse cardiovascular events during the follow-up.

Adipocyte fatty acid binding protein in atherosclerotic plaques is associated with local vulnerability and is predictive for the occurrence of adverse cardiovascular events.

Aims: There is an increasing need for translational studies identifying molecular targets contributing to atherosclerotic plaque destabilization. Local molecular plaque markers that are related to plaque vulnerability may hold predictive value to identify patients who are at increased risk to suffer from cardiovascular events. Animal studies revealed that adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (FABP4) is associated with the progression of atherosclerosis; however, FABP4 expression studies in human atherosclerotic plaques are lacking.