BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Experimental studies have suggested that proprotein convertase substilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) might directly promote inflammatory processes contributing to atherosclerosis by mechanisms independent of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. This study aims to investigate the association between serum PCSK9 levels and the fraction and amount of necrotic core tissue in coronary atherosclerotic plaque, as assessed by intravascular ultrasound virtual histology (IVUS-VH) imaging. METHODS: Between 2008 and 2011, IVUS-VH imaging of a non-culprit coronary artery was performed in 581 patients who underwent coronary angiography for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or stable angina. PCSK9 concentrations were measured in serum samples that were drawn prior to coronary angiography. None of the patients received PCSK9 inhibitors. RESULTS: After adjustment for established cardiac risk factors, statin use and serum LDL cholesterol, serum PCSK9 levels were linearly associated with the fraction of plaque consisting of necrotic core tissue (β = 1.24% increase per 100 μg/L increase in PCKS9, 95%CI 0.55-1.94, p = 0.001) and with the absolute volume of necrotic core tissue (β = 0.09, 95%CI 0.01-0.18, p = 0.033), but were not significantly associated with plaque burden (p = 0.11), plaque volume (p = 0.22) or the presence of IVUS-VH-derived thin-cap fibroatheroma lesions (p = 1.0). CONCLUSION: Serum PCSK9 levels were linearly associated with the fraction and amount of necrotic core tissue in coronary atherosclerosis, independently of serum LDL cholesterol levels and statin use. Therefore, PCSK9 may be an interesting therapeutic target for the treatment of atherosclerotic disease beyond LDL cholesterol regulation.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Experimental studies have suggested that proprotein convertase substilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) might directly promote inflammatory processes contributing to atherosclerosis by mechanisms independent of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. This study aims to investigate the association between serum PCSK9 levels and the fraction and amount of necrotic core tissue in coronary atherosclerotic plaque, as assessed by intravascular ultrasound virtual histology (IVUS-VH) imaging. METHODS: Between 2008 and 2011, IVUS-VH imaging of a non-culprit coronary artery was performed in 581 patients who underwent coronary angiography for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or stable angina. PCSK9 concentrations were measured in serum samples that were drawn prior to coronary angiography. None of the patients received PCSK9 inhibitors. RESULTS: After adjustment for established cardiac risk factors, statin use and serum LDL cholesterol, serum PCSK9 levels were linearly associated with the fraction of plaque consisting of necrotic core tissue (β = 1.24% increase per 100 μg/L increase in PCKS9, 95%CI 0.55-1.94, p = 0.001) and with the absolute volume of necrotic core tissue (β = 0.09, 95%CI 0.01-0.18, p = 0.033), but were not significantly associated with plaque burden (p = 0.11), plaque volume (p = 0.22) or the presence of IVUS-VH-derived thin-cap fibroatheroma lesions (p = 1.0). CONCLUSION: Serum PCSK9 levels were linearly associated with the fraction and amount of necrotic core tissue in coronary atherosclerosis, independently of serum LDL cholesterol levels and statin use. Therefore, PCSK9 may be an interesting therapeutic target for the treatment of atherosclerotic disease beyond LDL cholesterol regulation.
Authors: José Tuñón; Lina Badimón; Marie-Luce Bochaton-Piallat; Bertrand Cariou; Mat J Daemen; Jesus Egido; Paul C Evans; Imo E Hoefer; Daniel F J Ketelhuth; Esther Lutgens; Christian M Matter; Claudia Monaco; Sabine Steffens; Erik Stroes; Cécile Vindis; Christian Weber; Magnus Bäck Journal: Cardiovasc Res Date: 2019-01-01 Impact factor: 10.787
Authors: Rohit M Oemrawsingh; K Martijn Akkerhuis; Victor A Umans; Bas Kietselaer; Carl Schotborgh; Eelko Ronner; Timo Lenderink; Anho Liem; David Haitsma; Pim van der Harst; Folkert W Asselbergs; Arthur Maas; Anton J Oude Ophuis; Ben Ilmer; Rene Dijkgraaf; Robbert-Jan de Winter; S Hong Kie The; Alexander J Wardeh; Walter Hermans; Etienne Cramer; Ron H van Schaik; Imo E Hoefer; Pieter A Doevendans; Maarten L Simoons; Eric Boersma Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2016-12-23 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Markella V Zanni; Lauren A Stone; Mabel Toribio; Dodie E Rimmelin; Jake Robinson; Tricia H Burdo; Kenneth Williams; Kathleen V Fitch; Janet Lo; Steven K Grinspoon Journal: Open Forum Infect Dis Date: 2017-10-14 Impact factor: 3.835
Authors: Piotr Pęczek; Mateusz Leśniewski; Tomasz Mazurek; Lukasz Szarpak; Krzysztof J Filipiak; Aleksandra Gąsecka Journal: Life (Basel) Date: 2021-05-23