Expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 in the aortic tissues of atherosclerotic patients and the associated clinical implications

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression level of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in the aortic tissues of atherosclerotic patients and to explore the associated clinical implications. Full-thickness aortic wall tissue samples were collected from atherosclerotic patients. Biochemical analysis was used for the detection of the serum levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), lipoprotein (a) [Lp (a)], apolipoprotein (Apo) AI and Apo-B. Coronary angiography and SYNTAX scoring were used to determine the extent and severity of the disease. Immunohistochemistry was employed for the detection of the VCAM-1 protein expression levels in the arterial tissues. Significant differences were observed in the blood lipid levels between atherosclerotic patients and control subjects. Immunohistochemistry indicated that the aortic VCAM-1 expression level in atherosclerotic patients was 0.23±0.06 optical density (OD) units, which was significantly higher than that in the control subjects (0.08±0.03 OD units). In the atherosclerotic patients, the aortic VCAM-1 expression was positively correlated with the serum levels of TG (r=0.347), TC (r=0.469), LDL-C (r=0.463), Lp (a) (r=0.507) and Apo-B (r=0.384), while VCAM-1 and HDL-C were negatively correlated (r=-0.319). Furthermore, a higher SYNTAX score was accompanied by a higher VCAM-1 expression level (r=0.532), and an elevated aortic VCAM-1 expression was associated with certain cardiovascular risk factors. In conclusion, aortic VCAM-1 expression is associated with the severity of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk factors, indicating that VCAM-1 plays a role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

Keywords: atherosclerosis; coronary artery bypass graft; coronary heart disease; human aorta; vascular cell adhesion molecule-1.

Figure 1.

Immunohistochemical staining of VCAM-1 on arterial tissue sections. The expression level of VCAM-1 was increased in the arterial specimens from atherosclerotic patients (rabbit non-immune serum was used as a negative control) (original magnification, x400). VCAM, vascular cell adhesion molecule; H&E, hematoxylin and eosin.

Figure 2.

Association between aortic VCAM-1 expression and SYNTAX score in atherosclerotic patients. Correlation analysis showed that the SYNTAX score was positively correlated with the expression levels of VCAM-1 in the aortic tissues collected from the atherosclerotic patients. VCAM, vascular cell adhesion molecule; OD, optical density.

Figure 3.

Association between aortic VCAM-1 expression and cardiovascular risk factors. Subgroup analyses were performed to investigate whether VCAM-1 expression would be affected by cardiovascular risk factors (gender, smoking, hypertension and diabetes) in atherosclerotic patients. Compared with the counterpart control, *P<0.05. VCAM, vascular cell adhesion molecule; OD, optical density.