Antibodies to endothelial cells in borderline hypertension.
BACKGROUND
Antibodies to endothelial cells (aECs) and to cardiolipin (aCLs) are implicated in autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus vasculitis. Beta2-Glycoprotein 1 (beta2GP1) is a cofactor for aCLs. The present study investigated the possible role of aECs, aCLs, and abeta2GP1 in borderline hypertension.


RESULTS
Seventy-three men with borderline hypertension (BHT) and 73 age-matched normotensive (NT) men (diastolic blood pressure, 85 to 94 and <80 mm Hg, respectively) were recruited from a population screening program. Antibody levels were determined by ELISA. Presence of carotid atherosclerosis was determined by B-mode ultrasonography, and 29 individuals had atherosclerotic plaques. BHT men had significantly higher aEC and abeta2GP1 levels of IgG class than NT control subjects (P=0.029 and P=0.0001, respectively). aEC levels of IgM class were higher in BHT (P=0.012), but not abeta2GP1 levels. There was no correlation between aCL levels and BHT. Individuals with atherosclerotic plaques had significantly higher aEC levels of both IgG (P=0.042) and IgM subclasses (P=0.018) than those without plaques, but no difference was found in aCL and abeta2GP1 levels. Endothelin and aECs of IgM class were significantly associated.


CONCLUSIONS
We demonstrate the first evidence of a significant elevation of aEC and abeta2GP1 levels in borderline hypertension. These findings provide a new link between hypertension and atherosclerosis and indicate that humoral immune reactions to the endothelium may play an important role in both conditions.
Frostegård
J
J
From the Department of Medicine, Unit of Rheumatology, Karolinska Hospital and Center of Molecular Medicine; the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Karolinska Hospital the Department of Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden.
Wu
R
R
Gillis-Haegerstrand
C
C
Lemne
C
C
de Faire
U
U
D000328:Adult; D001053:Apolipoproteins / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000276:immunology*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D003429:Cross Reactions; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000097:blood; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000276:immunology*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D018970:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014463:Ultrasonography; D053482:beta 2-Glycoprotein I
D001053:Apolipoproteins; D019332:Endothelin-1; D006023:Glycoproteins; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D018970:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1; D053482:beta 2-Glycoprotein I