The influence of HIV infection on the correlation between plasma concentrations of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and carotid atherosclerosis.
BACKGROUND
Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) plays a crucial role in atherosclerosis and it has been recently proposed as a surrogate biomarker of long-term clinical outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Little is known of the factors that may influence plasma MCP-1 concentrations.


METHODS
We studied 384 healthy volunteers and 226 HIV-infected patients as a model of chronic inflammatory condition that predisposes to sub-clinical atherosclerosis.


RESULTS
In healthy participants there were significant associations between plasma MCP-1 concentration and age, smoking status, and serum triglyceride concentrations that were not observed in the HIV-infected patients. The plasma concentration of MCP-1 was significantly associated with the polymorphism at position -2518 of the MCP-1 gene and, in patients, with the carotid artery intima-media thickness. There were also significant correlations indicating a close association between MCP-1 and HIV disease activity. However, in a multiple regression model, only age, the MCP-1 genotype and smoking status showed significant, and independent, associations with plasma MCP-1 concentrations.


CONCLUSIONS
Plasma MCP-1 concentration is genetically determined and associated with age and smoking habit and it also correlates with subclinical atherosclerosis in HIV-infected patients.
Joven
Jorge
J
Centre de Recerca Biomèdica dels Laboratoris Clínics, Hospital Universitari de Sant Joan, Institut de Recerca en Ciències de la Salut, C. Sant Joan s/n, 43201 Reus, Spain.
Coll
Blai
B
Tous
Mònica
M
Ferré
Natalia
N
Alonso-Villaverde
Carlos
C
Parra
Sandra
S
Camps
Jordi
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018932:Chemokine CCL2 / Q000097:blood*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006678:HIV / Q000502:physiology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D054390:Receptors, CCR2; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine / Q000235:genetics; D012307:Risk Factors
C515334:CCR2 protein, human; D018932:Chemokine CCL2; D054390:Receptors, CCR2; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine