Increased CX3CL1/CX3CR1 Axis Is Related to Atherosclerosis in Subjects with Familial Combined Hyperlipidaemia, Which Is Modulated by Insulin Resistance but Not by Sex

Autores de INCLIVA

• 

  Elena Jiménez Martí

  Autor

• Clara Espinosa Vellido

  Autor

• Blanca Alabadí Pardiñes

  Autor

• 

  Gema Hurtado Genovés

  Autor

• Antonio Enrique Medina

  Autor

• 

  Jose Tomas Real Collado

  Autor

• 

  Herminia González Navarro

  Autor

• 

  Sergio Martinez Hervas

  Autor

Participantes ajenos a INCLIVA

• Martín-Vañó, S
• Casas, V
• Nadal, EAC

Grupos y Plataformas de I+D+i

• Grupo de investigación en Enfermedades Metabólicas

  

  Established Researcher

  Herminia González Navarro

• Grupo de Investigación sobre Riesgo Cardiometabólico y Diabetes

  

  Leading Researcher

  Jose Tomas Real Collado

• Unidad de Composición Corporal

  Responsable de Plataforma

  Miguel Civera Andres

• Unidad Mixta de Deterioro Neurológico INCLIVA - FCIPF

  

  Leading Researcher

  Carmen Espinós Armero

Abstract

Background: A major factor in the development of atherosclerosis is the presence of a chronic inflammatory state. The CX(3)CL1/CX(3)CR1 axis has been implicated in the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease, but until now, scarce data are available regarding the influence of the CX(3)CL1/CX(3)CR1 axis in familial combined hyperlipidaemia (FCH). Since FCH is associated with a high risk of cardiovascular disease, the objective of the present study was to assess the presence of alterations in the CX(3)CL1/CX(3)CR1 axis in patients with FCH and to evaluate the influence of insulin resistance (IR) and sex. Methods: A cohort of 47 subjects with FCH and 38 control subjects was included. We measured the lipid profile, glucose, and insulin levels in plasma, circulating blood CX(3)CL1 levels, and CX(3)CR1 mRNA expression. Carotid IMT and the presence of atheroma plaques were also evaluated. Results: FCH subjects showed significantly higher activation of the CX(3)CL1/CX(3)CR1 axis than controls. In addition, FCH individuals with IR showed the worst profile of inflammation status, higher carotid IMT, and a higher prevalence of atherosclerotic plaque compared to controls and FCH patients without IR. However, sex did not influence the CX3CL1/CX3CR1 axis. Conclusions: FCH patients showed an increased CX(3)CL1/CX(3)CR1 axis, which was positively correlated with IR, but not with sex. These data could partially explain the increased risk of cardiovascular events in primary dyslipidemic patients.

Keywords

• atherosclerosis; familial combined hyperlipidaemia; insulin resistance; CX(3)CL1/CX(3)CR1 axis; inflammation