The relationship between carotid stiffness and circulating levels of heat shock protein 60 in middle-aged men and women.
OBJECTIVE
There is growing evidence that the presence of the cell stress protein heat shock protein (HSP) 60 in the circulation is associated with risk of coronary heart disease. In this study, we measured the association between plasma HSP60 and carotid arterial stiffness in middle-aged men and women.


METHODS
Six hundred and forty-seven men and women aged 50-72 years and free of cardiovascular disease and medication were tested. Carotid artery distensibility coefficient was assessed ultrasonically as a measure of arterial stiffness, and plasma HSP60 was assessed using a sensitive immunoassay.


RESULTS
We found a significant, independent association between high plasma levels of HSP60 and increased carotid stiffness. Carotid distensibility coefficient was also related to diabetes, adiposity, blood pressure, lipids, plasma interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein. After adjusting for these factors, the odds of HSP60 concentration of at least 1000 ng/ml were 1.79 (95% confidence intervals 1.06-3.04) for participants in the lowest compared with the highest tertile of the distensibility coefficient.


CONCLUSIONS
HSP60 is a potent activator of vascular endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells. Thus, it is possible that long-term stimulation of these cell populations by blood-borne HSP60 acts to drive blood vessel changes resulting in decreased arterial elasticity.
Ellins
Elizabeth
E
Vascular Physiology Unit, Institute of Child Health, University College London, UK.
Shamaei-Tousi
Alireza
A
Steptoe
Andrew
A
Donald
Ann
A
O'Meagher
Shamus
S
Halcox
Julian
J
Henderson
Brian
B
D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018834:Chaperonin 60 / Q000097:blood*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004548:Elasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000502:physiology; D012307:Risk Factors
D018834:Chaperonin 60; D015850:Interleukin-6; D002097:C-Reactive Protein