Adipo/cytokines in atherosclerotic secretomes: increased visfatin levels in unstable carotid plaque

Abstract

BackgroundNovel pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory derivatives from adipose tissue, known as adipokines, act as metabolic factors. The aim of this study was to analyse the secreted expression of different adipo/cytokines in secretomes of unstable carotid atherosclerotic plaque versus non-atherosclerotic mammary artery.MethodsWe evaluated the secretion levels of adiponectin, visfatin, lipocalin-2, resistin, IL-6 and TNFR2 by ELISA in human secretomes from cultured unstable carotid atherosclerotic plaque (n = 18) and non-atherosclerotic mammary artery (n = 13). We also measured visfatin serum levels in patients suffering from atherosclerosis and in a serum cohort of healthy subjects (n = 16).ResultsWe found that visfatin levels were significantly increased in unstable carotid atherosclerotic plaque secretome than in non-atherosclerotic mammary artery secretome. No differences were found with regard the other adipo/cytokines studied. Regarding visfatin circulating levels, there were no differences between unstable carotid atherosclerotic plaque and non-atherosclerotic mammary artery group. However, these visfatin levels were increased in comparison to serum cohort of healthy subjects.ConclusionsOf all the adipo/cytokines analysed, only visfatin showed increased levels in secretomes of unstable carotid atherosclerotic plaque. Additional human studies are needed to clarify the possible role of visfatin as prognostic factor of unstable carotid atherosclerotic plaque.

Omentin-1 is Associated with Carotid Plaque Instability among Ischemic Stroke Patients

“…Unstable plaques share some distinctive features such as a thinner fibrous cap overlying a large necrotic core or a strong intraplaque inflammatory reaction 21 , 22 ) . Novel pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory derivatives from adipose tissue, known as adipokines, were found to be associated with carotid plaque instability 23 ) . For example, Auguet et al 23 ) reported that visfatin levels were significantly increased in unstable carotid atherosclerotic plaque secretome than in non-atherosclerotic mammary artery secretome.…”

Synergistic Expression of Histone Deacetylase 9 and Matrix Metalloproteinase 12 in M4 Macrophages in Advanced Carotid Plaques

“…48 The use of LITA may alter the magnitude of gene expression differences as it contains adventitia lacking in endarterectomy samples; previously M4 macrophages have been found in the adventitia of atherosclerotic coronary arteries. 47 However, the same setting has been utilised successfully in previous studies, 49,50 and normal histology in LITA, healthy carotid, and abdominal aortic samples was verified. 41 The sample material was skewed towards advanced plaques, which may explain the lack of consistent association with plaque stability markers, that is, stabilisation or thrombosis related genes.…”

The Role of Secretory Activity Molecules of Visceral Adipocytes in Abdominal Obesity in the Development of Cardiovascular Disease: A Review

“…A study by Auguet et al has revealed that the levels of visfatin are substantially higher in the secretome of the unstable atherosclerotic plaque from a carotid artery than in the secretome of a nonatherosclerotic thoracic artery. There were no differences in other analyzed adipo-/cytokines [96]. Of note, in a study by Zheng et al on the level of visfatin in patients with T2DM, the patients were subdivided into two groups by the presence of atherosclerotic plaques.…”