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Anetta Undas, Milosz Jankowski, Magdalena Twardowska, Agnieszka Padjas, Hieronim Jakubowski, Andrzej Szczeklik
Antibodies to N-homocysteinylated albumin as a marker for earlyonset coronary artery disease in men
N-homocysteinylated (N-Hcy) proteins and corresponding antibodies have recently been discovered in humans and animals. Increased autoimmune response to N-Hcy-proteins has been reported in stroke patients. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether antibodies against N-homocysteinylated albumin are associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). We studied 88 male patients aged 50 years or under with angiographically documented CAD and 100 age-matched apparently healthy men as controls. Serum levels of IgG antibodies against N-Hcy-albumin were determined using an enzymelinked immunosorbent assay. Seropositivity to anti-N-Hcy-albumin antibodies was 5-fold more frequent in CAD patients than in controls (52.3 % vs 10.0 %; p<0.0001). Plasma Hcy levels in CAD patients were also significantly higher in the former than in the latter group (medians, 13.0 M vs 12.1 M; p=0.026). Importantly, 41.2% of subjects with plasma total Hcy >14.5 mM were seropositive compared with 25.5 % of normohomocysteinemic individuals (p=0.048). There was a weak correlation between anti-N-Hcy-albumin antibodies and Hcy levels (r=0.16; p=0.03). By multivariate logistic regression analysis, seropositivity to anti-N-Hcy-albumin antibodies was an independent predictor of early CAD (OR, 14.82; 95% CI, 4.47 to 49.19; p=0.00002). Interestingly, anti-N-Hcy-albumin antibodies were associated with C-reactive protein levels (r=0.24; p=0.002). Seropositivity to anti-N-Hcy-albumin antibodies showed no association with the MTHFR C677T polymorphism. Our results suggest that seropositivity to antibodies against N-homocysteinylated albumin is associated with early-onset CAD. An autoimmune response to N-Hcy-albumin may represent a novel mechanism involved in the early development of CAD.
Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Schattauer
Print ISSN: 0340-6245
Volume: 93
Pages: 346 - 350