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Zhong DX, Zhang Y, Jin Q, Zhang XC, Zhang F, Chen DD, Guan LH, Zhou DX, Ge JB. Increased serum PCSK9 in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension: insights from inflammatory cytokines. Pulm Circ 2021; 11:20458940211051292. [PMID: 34659741 PMCID: PMC8516391 DOI: 10.1177/20458940211051292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is an important and major player in the pathophysiology of hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis. Recently, PCSK9 has been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases. Whether PCSK9 is involved in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between PCSK9 and IPAH. Serum PCSK9, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1 β (IL-1β), and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed among 40 IPAH patients and 20 control subjects. Hemodynamic data were collected via right heart catheterization in patients with IPAH. Serum PCSK9, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and MCP-1 levels were significantly higher in IPAH patients than in control subjects (p < 0.001). Among enrolled IPAH patients, PCSK9 levels were higher in WHO-FC III/IV patients compared with those in WHO-FC I/II (p < 0.05), and were positively correlated with TNF-α, IL-6, MCP-1, N-Terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (r = 0.653, p < 0.001), pulmonary arterial diastolic pressure (r = 0.466, p = 0.002), mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP, r = 0.730, <0.001), pulmonary vascular resistance (r = 0.488, p = 0.001), and right ventricle diameter (r = 0.563, p < 0.001). In multiple regression analysis, mPAP was strongly associated with serum PCSK9 (β = 0.694, p < 0.001), independent of other variables. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed the optimal cutoff value of serum PCSK9 concentration for predicting IPAH was 90.67 ng/ml, with a sensitivity of 90.0% and a specificity of 85.0%. In conclusion, IPAH patients had elevated serum PCSK9 levels which correlated the presence and severity of pulmonary hypertension. PCSK9 may be a novel potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Xiang Zhong
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qi Jin
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Chun Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dan-Dan Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li-Hua Guan
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Da-Xin Zhou
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun-Bo Ge
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Faraj M. LDL, LDL receptors, and PCSK9 as modulators of the risk for type 2 diabetes: a focus on white adipose tissue. J Biomed Res 2020; 34:251-259. [PMID: 32701068 PMCID: PMC7386410 DOI: 10.7555/jbr.34.20190124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) share many risk factors such as obesity, unhealthy lifestyle, and metabolic syndrome, whose accumulation over years leads to disease onset. However, while lowering plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) is cardio-protective, novel evidence have recognised a role for common LDLC-lowering variants (e.g. in HMGCR, PCSK9, and LDLR) and widely used hypocholesterolemic drugs that mimic the effects of some of these variants (statins) in higher risk for T2D. As these conditions decrease plasma LDLC by increasing tissue-uptake of LDL, a role for LDL receptor (LDLR) pathway was proposed. While underlying mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated, work from our lab reported that native LDL directly provoke the dysfunction of human white adipose tissue (WAT) and the activation of WAT NLRP3 (Nucleotide-binding domain and Leucine-rich repeat Receptor, containing a Pyrin domain 3) inflammasome, which play a major role in the etiology of T2D. However, while elevated plasma numbers of apolipoprotein B (apoB)-containing lipoproteins (measured as apoB, mostly as LDL) is associated with WAT dysfunction and related risk factors for T2D in our cohort, this relation was strengthened in regression analysis by lower plasma proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9). This supports a central role for upregulated pathway of LDLR and/or other receptors regulated by PCSK9 such as cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36) in LDL-induced anomalies. Targeting receptor-mediated uptake of LDL into WAT may reduce WAT inflammation, WAT dysfunction, and related risk for T2D without increasing the risk for CVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- May Faraj
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease Division, Montreal Clinical Research Institute, Montréal, Québec H2W 1R7, Canada;Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montréal, Montréal, Québec H3C 3J7, Canada;Montréal Diabetes Research Center, Montréal, Québec H2X 0A9, Canada
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Fazaeli M, Khoshdel A, Shafiepour M, Rohban M. The influence of subclinical hypothyroidism on serum lipid profile, PCSK9 levels and CD36 expression on monocytes. Diabetes Metab Syndr 2019; 13:312-316. [PMID: 30641718 DOI: 10.1016/j.dsx.2018.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a serine protease and a secreted protein which increases cholesterol levels in plasma via inducing degradation of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR). Cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36) is a member of a family of cell surface proteins in many cells. CD36 is known as fatty acid translocase (FAT) because it imports fatty acids inside cells and participate in triglyceride storage. It has been suggested that PCSK9 regulates CD36 in some tissues. METHODS Data and serum levels of TSH, FT4, lipid profile and PCSK9 and the expression of CD36 on monocytes from 40 new untreated patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) and 40 age- sex- and BMI-matched euthyroid controls were analyzed in a cross-sectional study. Then the relationships between these parameters were examined. RESULTS Patients with SH had higher TSH, FT4, total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and PCSK9 levels than controls. There were significant and positive correlations between serum TSH levels and lipid parameters except HDL-C. PCSK9 had a significant and negative correlation with FT4. No significant correlation could be found in relation to PCSK9 and CD36. CONCLUSIONS PCSK9 inhibitors are used to reduce blood cholesterol levels as drugs. If it will be proven that PCSK9 can induce CD36 degradation, taking these drugs may have unwanted side effects. This study showed that serum PCSK9 and lipid profile levels increase in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism and there is no relationship between PCSK9 and CD36 in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Fazaeli
- Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Clinical Biochemistry Department, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - A Khoshdel
- Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Clinical Biochemistry Department, Rafsanjan, Iran.
| | - M Shafiepour
- Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Clinical Biochemistry Department, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - M Rohban
- Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Clinical Biochemistry Department, Rafsanjan, Iran
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Baragetti A, Grejtakova D, Casula M, Olmastroni E, Jotti GS, Norata GD, Catapano AL, Bellosta S. Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin-Kexin type-9 (PCSK9) and triglyceride-rich lipoprotein metabolism: Facts and gaps. Pharmacol Res 2018; 130:1-11. [PMID: 29428206 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2018.01.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Revised: 01/24/2018] [Accepted: 01/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
After more than a decade of intense investigation, Pro-protein Convertase Subtilisin-Kexin type 9 (PCSK9) remains a hot topic of research both at experimental and clinical level. Interestingly PCSK9 is expressed in different tissues suggesting the existence of additional function(s) beyond the modulation of the Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) receptor in the liver. Emerging data suggest that PCSK9 might play a role in the modulation of triglyceride-rich lipoprotein (TGRL) metabolism, mainly Very Low-Density Lipoproteins (VLDL) and their remnants. In vitro, PCSK9 affects TGRLs production by intestinal cells as well as the catabolism of LDL receptor homologous and non-homologous targets such as VLDL receptor, CD36 and ApoE2R. However, the in vivo relevance of these findings is still debated. This review aims at critically discussing the role of PCSK9 on TGRLs metabolism with a major focus on the impact of its genetic and pharmacological modulation on circulating lipids and lipoproteins beyond LDL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Baragetti
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milan, Italy; S.I.S.A. Center for the Study of Atherosclerosis - Bassini Hospital, Cinisello Balsamo, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Manuela Casula
- Epidemiology and Preventive Pharmacology Centre (SEFAP), Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti, 9, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Elena Olmastroni
- Epidemiology and Preventive Pharmacology Centre (SEFAP), Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti, 9, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Gloria Saccani Jotti
- Department of Medicine & Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Parma, Via Volturno 39, 43121 Parma, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Danilo Norata
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milan, Italy; School of Biomedical Sciences, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Kent St., Bentley Western Australia 6102, Australia
| | - Alberico L Catapano
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milan, Italy; IRCCS MultiMedica, via Fantoli 16, 20138, Milan, Italy.
| | - Stefano Bellosta
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milan, Italy; IRCCS MultiMedica, via Fantoli 16, 20138, Milan, Italy
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Abstract
Ischemic heart disease is the main cause of death worldwide and it is accelerated by increased low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (LDL-C) and/or lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) concentrations. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) alters both LDL-C and in part Lp(a) concentrations through its ability to induce degradation of the LDL receptor (LDLR). PCSK9, however, has additional targets which are potentially involved in lipid metabolism regulation such as the very low density lipoprotein receptor (VLDL), CD36 (cluster of differentiation 36) and the epithelial cholesterol transporter (NPC1L1) and it affects expression of apolipoprotein B48. The PCSK9 activity is tightly regulated at several levels by factors influencing its transcription, secretion, or by extracellular inactivation and clearance. Many comorbidities (kidney insufficiency, hypothyreoidism, hyperinsulinemia, inflammation) modify PCSK9 expression and release. Two humanized antibodies directed against extracellular PCSK9 received approval by the European and US authorities and additional PCSK9 directed therapeutics (such as silencing RNA) are already in clinical trials. Their results demonstrate a significant reduction in both LDL-C and Lp(a) concentrations – independent of the concomitant medication – and one of them reduced plaque size in high risk cardiovascular patients; results of two ongoing large clinical endpoints studies are awaited. In this review, we summarize and discuss the recent biological data on PCSK9, the regulation of PCSK9, and finally briefly summarize the data of recent clinical studies in the context of lipid metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rainer Schulz
- Department of Physiology, Justus-Liebig-Universität, Aulweg 129, 35392, Giessen, Germany.
| | - Klaus-Dieter Schlüter
- Department of Physiology, Justus-Liebig-Universität, Aulweg 129, 35392, Giessen, Germany
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