Plasma level of sICAM-1 is associated with the extent of white matter lesion among asymptomatic elderly subjects.
OBJECTIVE
Inflammatory endothelial activation mediated by intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) plays a role in the pathogenesis of large- and small-vessel disease. We explored the association between soluble ICAM-1 (sICAM-1) and white matter lesion (WML) as a manifestation of cerebral small-vessel disease.


METHODS
One hundred and seventy-five elderly individuals aged >or= 60 without neurological deficits were studied. Subcortical deep white matter hyperintensity (SDWMH) and periventricular hyperintensity (PVH) were rated separately. Lesions in each category were then divided into three groups (grade 0-I, grade II, grade III) according to the Fazekas scale.


RESULTS
Plasma sICAM-1 levels were positively associated with grades of WML (for SDWMH: 297.4+/-135.6ng/mL in grade 0-I, 391.3+/-145.5ng/mL in grade II, and 450.2+/-232.9ng/mL in grade III, p<0.001; for PVH: 282.5+/-116.5ng/mL in grade 0-I, 402.3+/-160.4ng/mL in grade II, and 428.1+/-227.7ng/mL in grade III, p<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed higher sICAM-1 levels, age and hypertension were the independent risk factors associated with the presence and severity of WML. More than 4-fold increased risk of WML was observed in patients with the highest quartile of sICAM-1 (all WML OR=4.694, 95% CI: 1.805-12.204; moderate WML OR=4.618, 95% CI: 1.543-13.825; severe WML OR=4.893, 95% CI: 1.236-19.368).


CONCLUSIONS
Increased plasma sICAM-1 suggests inflammatory process may be involved in the pathogenesis of WML.
Han
Jing Hao
JH
Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
Wong
Ka Sing
KS
Wang
Yan Yan
YY
Fu
Jian Hui
JH
Ding
Ding
D
Hong
Zhen
Z
D000368:Aged; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D015140:Dementia, Vascular / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000473:pathology
D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1