title: Adhesion molecule CD146 and its soluble form correlate well with carotid atherosclerosis and plaque instability.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Intraplaque neovascularization and foam cell infiltration contribute to the development of unstable plaque, leading to thromboembolism and stroke. Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) have been reported to be involved in the progression of atherosclerosis and plaque vulnerability. The aim of this study was to assess the association of adhesion molecule CD146 with carotid plaque instability.
  
  
  METHODS
  We collected forty atherosclerotic plaques from 40 patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy. The clinical information of each patient was obtained, and the plaque morphology and characteristics were examined by the ultrasound. The CD146 expressions of the plaques were graded by using semiquantitative scales. The serum level of soluble form of CD146 was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  CD146 expression was mainly on the intraplaque blood vessels and infiltrated macrophages. The CD146 expression was strongly correlated with the matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9)expressions (P < 0.001) in the plaques. Soluble CD146 (sCD146) was also elevated in patients with atherosclerotic plaques. There was significant correlation between the increased CD146 expression and sCD146 level (P = 0.0057). sCD146 correlated well with serum MMP-9 (P < 0.0044), IL-6 (P = 0.0044) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) (P = 0.005).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adhesion molecules CD146 and its soluble form strongly correlated with the development of inflammation of atherosclerosis and plaque instability. CD146 may be a promising biomarker for monitoring the development and instability of atherosclerotic plaque in patients with carotid diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Yi-Ning
authors.initials: YN
authors.lastname: Qian
authors.forename: Yong-Ting
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Hong-Xia
authors.initials: HX
authors.lastname: Duan
authors.forename: Li-Qun
authors.initials: LQ
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Bi
authors.forename: Yong-Jun
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xi-Yun
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Yan
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D051929:CD146 Antigen / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D051929:CD146 Antigen; C497902:MCAM protein, human; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; C579270:MMP9 protein, human; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9
keywords: Adhesion molecule CD146; Atherosclerosis; Plaque instability