Circulating leukocyte-derived microparticles predict subclinical atherosclerosis burden in asymptomatic subjects.
OBJECTIVE
To clarify circulating microparticles (MP) relationships with preclinical atherosclerosis.


RESULTS
In 216 subjects without cardiovascular disease, we assessed: (1) annexin V-positive, platelet-derived, endothelium-derived and leukocyte-derived circulating MP by capture on annexin V, anti-GPIb, anti-CD105, and anti-CD11a antibody-coated wells, respectively; (2) Framingham risk, metabolic syndrome, and low-grade inflammation by risk factors measurement including hsCRP; and (3) subclinical atherosclerosis by ultrasound examination of carotid, abdominal aorta, and femoral arteries. Number of sites with plaque ranged from 0 to 3 and plaque burden was classified into 0 to 1 or 2 to 3 sites disease. Leukocyte-derived MP level was higher in the presence than in the absence of moderate to high Framingham risk (P<0.05), metabolic syndrome (P<0.01), high C-reactive protein (CRP) (P<0.05), or 2- to 3-sites disease (P<0.01), and correlated positively with number of metabolic syndrome components (P<0.001), tertiles of fibrinogen (P<0.001), and number of diseased sites (P<0.01). In multivariate analysis, 2- to 3-sites disease was independently associated with leukocyte-derived MP level (P<0.05), Framingham risk (P<0.001), and metabolic syndrome (P<0.01). None of the other MP types correlated with risk markers or atherosclerosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Leukocyte-derived MP, identified by affinity for CD11a, are increased in subjects with ultrasound evidence of subclinical atherosclerosis, unveiling new directions for atherosclerosis research.
Chironi
Gilles
G
AP-HP, Centre Hospitalier HEGP-Broussais, Centre de Médecine Préventive Cardiovasculaire, Paris, France.
Simon
Alain
A
Hugel
Bénédicte
B
Del Pino
Muriel
M
Gariepy
Jérôme
J
Freyssinet
Jean-Marie
JM
Tedgui
Alain
A
D000328:Adult; D017304:Annexin A5 / Q000032:analysis*; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D017209:Apoptosis; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D040881:CD11a Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D021961:Cell Membrane Structures / Q000737:chemistry*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010316:Particle Size; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography
D017304:Annexin A5; D040881:CD11a Antigen