Soluble TWEAK plasma levels predict expansion of human abdominal aortic aneurysms.
OBJECTIVE
Diminished soluble tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (sTWEAK) concentrations are associated with cardiovascular diseases. We have analyzed sTWEAK levels and its relation with expansion rate in subjects with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).


METHODS
sTWEAK levels were measured by ELISA.


RESULTS
sTWEAK concentrations were diminished in small AAA (≤ 5 cm; 353 ± 12 pg/mL; n = 25, p = 0.03) and large AAA (>5 cm; 315 ± 21 pg/mL; n = 18, p = 0.004) compared with healthy subjects (411 ± 22 pg/mL; n=27). Moreover, sTWEAK concentrations were negatively associated with AAA size (r = -0.4; p = 0.008). sTWEAK was also negatively associated with AAA expansion rate with 5 years of follow-up (n = 79, r = -0.263; p = 0.031). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that sTWEAK levels were independently associated with AAA growth rate (β = -0.208; p = 0.046).


CONCLUSIONS
sTWEAK plasma levels were decreased in subjects with AAA and were independently related with AAA expansion rate indicating that this protein could be a novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarker of AAA.
Vascular Research Lab, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Autónoma University, Av Reyes Católicos 2, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
J L
JL
Martín-Ventura
J S
JS
Lindholt
J A
JA
Moreno
M
M
Vega de Céniga
O
O
Meilhac
J B
JB
Michel
J
J
Egido
L M
LM
Blanco-Colio
D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D000074049:Cytokine TWEAK; D003718:Denmark; D018450:Disease Progression; D015536:Down-Regulation; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D016015:Logistic Models; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013030:Spain; D013997:Time Factors; D048069:Tumor Necrosis Factors / Q000097:blood*; D014463:Ultrasonography
D015415:Biomarkers; D000074049:Cytokine TWEAK; C109743:TNFSF12 protein, human; D048069:Tumor Necrosis Factors