Association between anti-human heat shock protein-60 and interleukin-2 with coronary artery calcium score

Heart. 2015 Mar;101(6):436-41. doi: 10.1136/heartjnl-2014-306649. Epub 2015 Jan 5.

Abstract

Introduction: Based upon evidence suggesting that concentrations of anti-heat shock protein-60 (anti-HSP60) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) are associated with atherogenesis, we tested the hypothesis that anti-HSP60 and IL-2 are associated with coronary artery calcium (CAC) score, a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis.

Methods: We evaluated 998 asymptomatic adults, age 45-84 years, without known coronary disease from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), who had anti-HSP60 measured at baseline. Tertiles of serum anti-HSP60 were evaluated. The associations of IL-2 and anti-HSP60 with CAC were assessed using multivariate analyses, with adjustments for coronary risk factors and Framingham risk score.

Results: Patients' demographics, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, or dyslipidaemia did not show differences in levels of anti-HSP60. The median (IQR) Framingham risk score was 11 (5-22), 8 (5-16), and 9 (5-18) for the first, second, and third tertiles, respectively (p=0.043). IL-2 and tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were associated with increased CAC (IL-2: OR 3.70, p<0.001; TNF-α: OR 4.63, p<0.001). In multivariate regression, the highest tertiles of anti-HSP60 and IL-2 were associated with increased risk of CAC (HSP60 T3: OR 1.49, p=0.022; IL-2: OR 2.49, p<0.001). After adjustment, significant progression of CAC was observed in patients with higher baseline levels of anti-HSP60 (estimate 31.73, p=0.016) and IL-2 (estimate 34.39, p=0.024).

Conclusions: Increased concentrations of inflammatory markers (IL-2 and anti-HSP60) are associated with an increased CAC at baseline and follow-up in healthy asymptomatic adults. Future studies should be carried out to assess its association with early development of atherosclerosis.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antibodies / blood*
  • Calcium / analysis*
  • Chaperonin 60 / immunology*
  • Coronary Vessels / chemistry*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-2 / blood*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Chaperonin 60
  • Interleukin-2
  • Calcium