title: CXCL4 Plasma Levels Are Not Associated with the Extent of Coronary Artery Disease or with Coronary Plaque Morphology.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  CXCL4 is a platelet chemokine released at micromolar concentrations upon platelet activation. CXCL4 has been shown to promote atherogenesis by various mechanisms. However, data on CXCL4 plasma levels in patients with coronary artery disease are largely inconclusive. Computed coronary artery angiography (CCTA) represents an excellent tool to quantify and characterize coronary atherosclerotic plaques. We hypothesized that increased CXCL4 plasma levels may be associated with features of plaque instability resulting in adverse cardiovascular events. Specifically, we sought to determine whether CXCL4 levels are correlated with specific features of coronary artery disease including (1) plaque volume, (2) calcium score, (3) degree of stenosis, or (4) vascular remodeling.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CXCL4 plasma levels were measured by ELISA in 217 patients undergoing CCTA for suspected CAD (mean age 64.2 ± 9.4 years, 107 (49.3%) male). Mean CXCL4 plasma levels were 12.5 ± 4.6 ng/mL. There was no significant correlation between CXCL4 levels and any clinical or demographic parameters including cardiovascular risk factors. CXCL4 plasma levels did not differ between patient with or without coronary artery disease (CAD: 12.5 ± 4.5 ng/ml, no CAD: 12.5 ± 4.8 ng/ml). Neither univariate nor multivariate analysis showed an association between CXCL4 levels and plaque volume, total calcium score, degree of stenosis, or vascular remodeling. Subgroup analysis of patients with CAD as confirmed by CCTA did not show any association of CXCL4 levels with the extent of CAD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  While CXCL4 may be present and active within the arterial wall, local increase of CXCL4 may not translate into systemically elevated CXCL4 levels. Further studies will have to test whether CXCL4 may still represent a suitable therapeutic target in human atherosclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany; DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Erbel
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Grigorios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Korosoglou
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany; DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Pearlyn
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ler
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany; DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Mohammadreza
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Akhavanpoor
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany; DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Domschke
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany; DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Fabian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Linden
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany; DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Andreas O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Doesch
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany; DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Sebastian J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Buss
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany; DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Evangelos
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Giannitsis
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany; DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Hugo A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Katus
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany; DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Gleissner
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D010978:Platelet Factor 4 / Q000097:blood*; D066253:Vascular Remodeling
chemical_list: D010978:Platelet Factor 4