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Erythrocyte‐associated apolipoprotein B and its relationship with clinical and subclinical atherosclerosis
Author(s) -
Bovenberg Sarah A.,
Klop Boudewijn,
Alipour Arash,
MartinezHervas Sergio,
Westzaan Andrew,
van de Geijn GertJan M.,
Janssen Hans W. J.,
Njo Tjin,
Birnie Erwin,
van Mechelen Rob,
Rietveld Arie P.,
Elte Jan Willem F.,
Castro Cabezas Manuel
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
european journal of clinical investigation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.164
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1365-2362
pISSN - 0014-2972
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2362.2011.02591.x
Subject(s) - subclinical infection , apolipoprotein b , medicine , cholesterol
Eur J Clin Invest 2012; 42 (4): 365–370 Abstract Background Apolipoprotein (apo) B‐containing lipoproteins are closely linked to atherogenesis. These lipoproteins are transported in plasma and are also associated with blood leucocytes. Our aim was to investigate whether apoB‐containing lipoproteins are also present on the surface of erythrocytes and investigate the relationship with the presence of atherosclerosis in a cross‐sectional study. Materials and methods Erythrocyte‐bound apoB (ery‐apoB) was measured by flowcytometry in subjects with (CAD+) and without coronary artery disease (CAD−), based on coronary angiography or on a history of cardiovascular disease. Intima media thickness (IMT) measurements were carried out using B‐mode ultrasound. The relationship between ery‐apoB and clinical and subclinical atherosclerosis was evaluated with binary logistic regression. Results A total of 166 subjects were included (40 CAD+ and 126 CAD−). ApoB was detected on freshly isolated erythrocytes (range: 0·1–5·5 au; mean ± SEM 0·86 ± 0·09 au) in all but nine subjects (four CAD+ and five CAD−). Ery‐apoB was lower in CAD+ (0·62 ± 0·09 au) compared to CAD− (1·18 ± 0·10 au; P < 0·001). Higher ery‐apoB was associated with a lower risk of CAD (adjusted OR: 0·003 (95% CI: 0·001–0·08; P < 0·001), but the protective effect was diminished with increasing age (adjusted OR: 1·10 (95% CI: 1·04–1·16; P < 0·001). IMT was increased in CAD+ subjects (0·77 ± 0·13 mm) compared to CAD− (0·57 ± 0·14 mm; P < 0·001). A significant negative association was found between ery‐apoB and IMT (β = −0·214: 95% CI −0·284 to −0·145; P < 0·001). There was no association between ery‐apoB and plasma apoB (Pearson’s r = −0·45; P = 0·57). Conclusions Human erythrocytes carry apoB‐containing lipoproteins. Subjects with atherosclerosis have lower ery‐apoB. High ery‐apoB may be protective against atherosclerosis and may reflect an alternative blood cell–mediated lipoprotein transport system in the circulation, in which these lipoproteins less likely interact with the endothelium.