Interleukin-2 levels are associated with carotid artery intima-media thickness.
OBJECTIVE
To show that serum interleukin levels are associated with carotid intima-media thickness (IMT).


BACKGROUND
Inflammation is hypothesized to play a central role in atherogenesis, and serum markers of inflammation are predictive of cardiovascular disease. Interleukin-2, a pro-inflammatory cytokine produced largely by naive CD4 T cells and Th1 (pro-inflammatory) T cells, has been found in a high proportion of carotid plaques.


METHODS
High-resolution ultrasound of the carotid arteries and serum cytokine levels were measured in stroke-free participants. The mean of the maximum IMT in bilateral bifurcation, common and internal carotid artery segments was measured. Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-2, IL-6, C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha and TNF receptors were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.


RESULTS
IL-2 levels were significantly correlated with IMT (r=0.33, P<0.0001), but other cytokines were not. Each unit increase in IL-2 was significantly associated with a mean increase in IMT of 0.18 mm (P=0.0001). After adjusting for other atherosclerotic risk factors, the association was unchanged (mean increase in IMT per unit increase IL-2=0.18 mm, P<0.0001). Each standard deviation increase in the level of IL-2 was associated with an increased risk (adjusted odds ratio 1.80, 95% CI 1.12-2.89) for an IMT> or =1.0mm (75th percentile for IMT).


CONCLUSIONS
Serum levels of IL-2, a pro-inflammatory cytokine, are associated with carotid artery IMT, a predictor of stroke and vascular disease. Serum inflammatory markers may provide a novel marker of atherosclerotic risk, and inflammation may provide a new therapeutic target for stroke prevention.
Elkind
Mitchell S V
MS
Department of Neurology, Neurology/Stroke Division, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, 710 West 168th Street, Rm 641, New York, NY 10032, USA. mse13@columbia.edu
Rundek
Tanja
T
Sciacca
Robert R
RR
Ramas
Romel
R
Chen
Hong-Jun
HJ
Boden-Albala
Bernadette
B
Rabbani
LeRoy
L
Sacco
Ralph L
RL
D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000473:pathology; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000097:blood; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000097:blood*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D047888:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type I / Q000378:metabolism; D047889:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type II / Q000378:metabolism; D012307:Risk Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000473:pathology; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000473:pathology
D015415:Biomarkers; D007375:Interleukin-1; D007376:Interleukin-2; D015850:Interleukin-6; D047888:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type I; D047889:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type II; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D002097:C-Reactive Protein