COMPARISON STUDY OF THE QUANTITATIVE AND SEMI-QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF PATHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF CAROTID ATHEROSCLEROTIC PLAQUE INSTABILITY

Background and Purpose: Unstable carotid plaques are a common cause of ischemic strokes. Identifying markers that reflect/contribute to plaque instability has become a prominent focus in cardiovascular research. The adipokines, resistin and chemerin, and ChemR23 (chemerin receptor), may play a role in carotid atherosclerosis, making them potential candidates to assess plaque instability. However, the expression and interrelationship of resistin and chemerin (and ChemR23) protein and mRNA within the carotid atherosclerotic plaque remains elusive. Thus, we investigated herein, the association between plaque mRNA and protein expression of resistin and chemerin (and ChemR23) and carotid plaque instability in humans, and whether sex differences exist in the relationship between these adipokines and plaque instability. Methods: Human carotid plaques were processed for immunohistochemical/mRNA analysis of resistin, chemerin, and ChemR23. Plaque instability was assessed by gold-standard histological classifications. A semi-quantitative scoring system was used to determine the intensity of adipokine expression on macrophages/foam cells, as well as the percentage of inflammatory cells stained positive. Plaque adipokine protein expression was also digitally quantified and mRNA expression was assessed by qRT-PCR. Results: Resistin and chemerin mRNA expression was 80% and 32% lower, respectively, in unstable versus stable plaques ( P <0.05), while no difference in ChemR23 mRNA expression was observed. In contrast, greater resistin staining intensity and percentage of cells stained positive were detected in unstable versus stable plaques ( P <0.01). Similarly, chemerin and ChemR23 staining intensity and percentage of cells stained were positively associated with plaque instability ( P <0.05). No strong sex-specific relationship was observed between adipokines and plaque instability. Conclusions: This study examined the relationship between resistin, chemerin, and ChemR23, and carotid plaque instability, with a specific analysis at the plaque level. We reported a positive association between plaque instability and protein levels of resistin, chemerin, and ChemR23 but a negative association with resistin and chemerin mRNA expression. This suggests these adipokines exert proinflammatory roles in the process of carotid atherosclerosis and may be regulated via a negative feedback regulatory mechanism.

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Quantitative analysis of ultrasound B-mode images of carotid atherosclerotic plaque: correlation with visual classification and histological examination

IEEE Transactions on Medical Imaging ◽

10.1109/42.746624 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 17 (6) ◽

pp. 910-922 ◽

Cited By ~ 103

Author(s):

J.E. Wilhjelm ◽

M.-L.M. Gronholdt ◽

B. Wiebe ◽

S.K. Jespersen ◽

L.K. Hansen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quantitative Analysis ◽

Histological Examination ◽

Atherosclerotic Plaque ◽

Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaque ◽

Visual Classification

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YKL-40 Is Associated With Ultrasound-Determined Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaque Instability

Frontiers in Neurology ◽

10.3389/fneur.2021.622869 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Yu Wang ◽

Bohong Li ◽

Yong Jiang ◽

Runhua Zhang ◽

Xia Meng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical History ◽

Atherosclerotic Plaque ◽

Carotid Plaque ◽

Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Density Lipoprotein ◽

Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaque ◽

Plaque Instability ◽

Potential Biomarker

Background and Aims: YKL-40, an inflammatory biomarker, has been reported to be involved in the process and progression of atherosclerosis. Several studies have investigated the association between YKL-40 and plaque and suggested YKL-40 might be a potential biomarker for plaque instability. This study aimed to investigate the association between YKL-40 and carotid plaque instability.Methods: Based on a community-based study in Beijing from February 2014 to May 2016, 1,132 participants with carotid plaques were enrolled in this study. Data on demographics and medical history were collected through face-to-face interviews, and fasting blood samples were collected and stored. We used ultrasound to evaluate the presence of carotid plaque and its instability. The level of YKL-40 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the association between YKL-40 level and carotid atherosclerotic plaque instability.Results: The mean age of the 1,132 participants was 58.0 (52.0–64.0) years, and 560 (49.5%) were male. Unstable plaques were detected in 855 (75.53%) participants. YKL-40 level was classified into four groups according to its quartile: quartile 1: <25.47 ng/mL, quartile 2: 25.47–39.53 ng/mL, quartile 3: 39.53–70.55 ng/mL, quartile 4: ≥70.55 ng/mL. After adjusting for age, sex, smoking, alcohol drinking, medical history, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, homocysteine, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and plaque thickness, the top quartiles of YKL-40 level were significantly associated with unstable plaque (quartile 3: OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.29–3.40; quartile 4: OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.04–2.80).Conclusion: This study found that YKL-40 was associated with carotid plaque instability determined by ultrasound. Individuals with high YKL-40 may have a higher risk of unstable carotid plaque.

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