title: Tissue kallikrein is related to the severity of coronary artery disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The impairment of the tissue kallikrein (KLK1)-kinin system (KKS) may result in atheroma development. However, it remains unclear if the KKS correlates with coronary artery disease (CAD).
  
  
  METHODS
  KLK1, VEGF and hs-CRP plasma levels were measured in 100 patients newly diagnosed with CAD and 33 CAD-free controls. Patients were followed-up for the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) for 8months to 2y. Gene expression of KLK1, CD105 and CD68 was assessed in human coronary endarterectomy specimens.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with CAD and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) had significantly elevated KLK1 levels. In addition, the concentration of hs-CRP was increased in ACS patients. A strong positive correlation between plasma KLK1 and the severity of CAD was also demonstrated, suggesting that high KLK1 levels are an independent predictor for CAD. MACE during follow-up significantly correlated with KLK1 levels in the ACS group. Unstable coronary plaques demonstrated markedly increased KLK1 levels, macrophage infiltration and high microvessel density. Additionally, KLK1 staining primarily colocalized with macrophages.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the present study, plasma KLK1 levels were a useful predictor for the presence and extent of CAD. More extensive studies are, however, necessary in order to validate these findings.
authors: Department of Cardiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, China. yaoyuyunj@hotmail.com
authors: Yu-yu
authors: YY
authors: Yao
authors: Cong
authors: C
authors: Fu
authors: Gen-shan
authors: GS
authors: Ma
authors: Yi
authors: Y
authors: Feng
authors: Cheng-xing
authors: CX
authors: Shen
authors: Guo-qiu
authors: GQ
authors: Wu
authors: Xiao-guo
authors: XG
authors: Zhang
authors: Jian-dong
authors: JD
authors: Ding
authors: Cheng-chun
authors: CC
authors: Tang
authors: Zhong
authors: Z
authors: Chen
authors: Qi-ming
authors: QM
authors: Dai
authors: Jia-yi
authors: JY
authors: Tong
authors: Dan
authors: D
authors: Luo
authors: Jian
authors: J
authors: Zhu
authors: Hong
authors: H
authors: Zhi
authors: Yong-jun
authors: YJ
authors: Li
authors: Cheng-wei
authors: CW
authors: Ju
authors: Jing
authors: J
authors: Lu
authors: Julie
authors: J
authors: Chao
authors: Lee
authors: L
authors: Chao
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020840:Tissue Kallikreins / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D020840:Tissue Kallikreins