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Dlouha D, Blaha M, Huckova P, Lanska V, Hubacek JA, Blaha V. Long-Term LDL-Apheresis Treatment and Dynamics of Circulating miRNAs in Patients with Severe Familial Hypercholesterolemia. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1571. [PMID: 37628623 PMCID: PMC10454435 DOI: 10.3390/genes14081571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Lipoprotein apheresis (LA) is a therapeutic option for patients with severe hypercholesterolemia who have persistently elevated LDL-C levels despite attempts at drug therapy. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), important posttranscriptional gene regulators, are involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Our study aimed to monitor the dynamics of twenty preselected circulating miRNAs in patients under long-term apheresis treatment. Plasma samples from 12 FH patients (men = 50%, age = 55.3 ± 12.2 years; mean LA overall treatment time = 13.1 ± 7.8 years) were collected before each apheresis therapy every sixth month over the course of four years of treatment. Eight complete follow-up (FU) samples were measured in each patient. Dynamic changes in the relative quantity of 6 miRNAs (miR-92a, miR-21, miR-126, miR-122, miR-26a, and miR-185; all p < 0.04) during FU were identified. Overall apheresis treatment time influenced circulating miR-146a levels (p < 0.04). In LDLR mutation homozygotes (N = 5), compared to heterozygotes (N = 7), we found higher plasma levels of miR-181, miR-126, miR-155, and miR-92a (all p < 0.03). Treatment with PCSK9 inhibitors (N = 6) affected the plasma levels of 7 miRNAs (miR-126, miR-122, miR-26a, miR-155, miR-125a, miR-92a, and miR-27a; all p < 0.04). Long-term monitoring has shown that LA in patients with severe familial hypercholesterolemia influences plasma circulating miRNAs involved in endothelial dysfunction, cholesterol homeostasis, inflammation, and plaque development. The longer the treatment using LA, the better the miRNA milieu depicting the potential cardiovascular risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Dlouha
- Center for Experimental Medicine, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, 14021 Prague, Czech Republic; (P.H.); (J.A.H.)
| | - Milan Blaha
- 4th Department of Internal Medicine—Hematology, University Hospital Hradec Králové, 50005 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic;
- Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové, Charles University, 50003 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic;
| | - Pavlina Huckova
- Center for Experimental Medicine, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, 14021 Prague, Czech Republic; (P.H.); (J.A.H.)
| | - Vera Lanska
- Statistical Unit, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, 14021 Prague, Czech Republic;
| | - Jaroslav Alois Hubacek
- Center for Experimental Medicine, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, 14021 Prague, Czech Republic; (P.H.); (J.A.H.)
- 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 12108 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Vladimir Blaha
- Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové, Charles University, 50003 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic;
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine—Metabolism and Gerontology, University Hospital Hradec Králové, 50005 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
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Dlouha D, Blaha M, Rohlova E, Hubacek JA, Lanska V, Visek J, Blaha V. Multiplex Protein Biomarker Profiling in Patients with Familial Hypercholesterolemia. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:1599. [PMID: 34680994 DOI: 10.3390/genes12101599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by mutations in the LDLR, APOB, PCSK9, and APOE genes and is characterized by high plasma levels of total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Our study aimed to analyze the influences of two different therapies on a wide spectrum of plasma protein biomarkers of cardiovascular diseases. Plasma from FH patients under hypolipidemic therapy (N = 18; men = 8, age 55.4 ± 13.1 years) and patients under combined long-term LDL apheresis/hypolipidemic therapy (N = 14; men = 7; age 58.0 ± 13.6 years) were analyzed in our study. We measured a profile of 184 cardiovascular disease (CVD) associated proteins using a proximity extension assay (PEA). Hypolipidemic therapy significantly (all p < 0.01) influenced 10 plasma proteins (TM, DKK1, CCL3, CD4, PDGF subunit B, AGRP, IL18, THPO, and LOX1 decreased; ST2 increased). Under combined apheresis/hypolipidemic treatment, 18 plasma proteins (LDLR, PCSK9, MMP-3, GDF2, CTRC, SORT1, VEGFD, IL27, CCL24, and KIM1 decreased; OPN, COL1A1, KLK6, IL4RA, PLC, TNFR1, GLO1, and PTX3 increased) were significantly affected (all p < 0.006). Hypolipidemic treatment mainly affected biomarkers involved in vascular endothelial maintenance. Combined therapy influenced proteins that participate in cholesterol metabolism and inflammation.
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Abstract
Purpose of Review To elucidate the current approach of care in pediatric patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). We sought an answer to the question whether the advances and major changes in lipid management are relevant and apply to children and adolescents. Recent Findings Latest research findings clearly demonstrate that lowering cholesterol levels at a young age prevents vascular atherosclerotic changes and decreases cardiovascular events in adulthood and emphasizes the importance of early detection and intervention in the pediatric FH patients group. Summary FH is a common genetic disease caused by mutations in genes associated with the metabolism of low-density lipoproteins (LDL). The hallmark of FH is elevated LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) levels from birth and premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Often FH is either undiagnosed or diagnosed with a considerable delay, leading to vascular atherosclerotic changes and cardiovascular disease. Prompt identification of FH subjects is essential, to initiate early preventive measures. Safe and efficient pharmacological agents are approved for use in children and adolescents. Statins are the first line of therapy, in combination of ezetimibe. Unfortunately, these drugs do not warrant the achievement of therapeutic target, especially in HoFH patient. In the latter, lipoprotein apheresis (LA), which has been shown to be safe and effective, is strongly recommended. Finally, the new drugs still under study will allow a multimodal customized treatment. Lowering cholesterol levels at a young age hinders vascular atherosclerotic changes decreasing cardiovascular events in adulthood. Therefore, early detection, diagnosis, and intervention in FH patients are priority objectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hofit Cohen
- The Bert W. Strassburger Lipid Center, The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Ramat Gan Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Claudia Stefanutti
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Lipid Clinic and Atherosclerosis Prevention Centre, Immunohematology and Transfusion Medicine, Regional Centre for Rare Diseases, Extracorporeal Therapeutic Techniques Unit – Severe Genetic Dyslipidemias, Umberto I Hospital, ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Víšek J, Bláha M, Bláha V, Lášticová M, Lánska M, Andrýs C, Tebbens JD, Igreja E Sá IC, Tripská K, Vicen M, Najmanová I, Nachtigal P. Monitoring of up to 15 years effects of lipoprotein apheresis on lipids, biomarkers of inflammation, and soluble endoglin in familial hypercholesterolemia patients. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2021; 16:110. [PMID: 33640001 PMCID: PMC7913462 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-021-01749-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Lipoprotein apheresis (LA) is considered as an add-on therapy for patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). We aimed to analyze the data collected in the last 15 years from FH patients treated with LA, to elucidate the benefit of this procedure with respect to plasma lipids, biomarkers of inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction and soluble endoglin. Results 14 patients (10 heterozygous FH patients (HeFH), 4 homozygous FH patients (HoFH)) were treated by long-term lipoprotein apheresis. Lipid levels were examined, and ELISA detected biomarkers of inflammation and soluble endoglin. Paired tests were used for intergroup comparisons, and a linear regression model served to estimate the influence of the number of days patients were treated with LA on the studied parameters. LA treatment was associated with a significant decrease of total cholesterol (TC), LDL-C, HDL-C, and apoB, in both HeFH and HoFH patients, after single apheresis and in a long-term period during the monitored interval of 15 years. Biomarkers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction were reduced for soluble endoglin, hsCRP, and MCP-1, and sP-selectin after each procedure in some HeFH and HoFH patients. Conclusions LA treatment up to 15 years, reduced cholesterol levels, levels of biomarkers related to endothelial dysfunction, and inflammation not only after each procedure but also in the long-term evaluation in FH patients. We propose that long-term LA treatment improves lipid profile and endothelial dysfunction in familial hypercholesterolemia patients, suggesting a promising improvement in cardiovascular prognosis in most FH patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Víšek
- Metabolism and Gerontology, 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové, University Hospital Hradec Králové and Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - M Bláha
- 4th Department of Medicine - Hematology, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové, University Hospital Hradec Králové and Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - V Bláha
- Metabolism and Gerontology, 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové, University Hospital Hradec Králové and Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - M Lášticová
- Metabolism and Gerontology, 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové, University Hospital Hradec Králové and Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - M Lánska
- 4th Department of Medicine - Hematology, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové, University Hospital Hradec Králové and Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - C Andrýs
- Department of Immunology and Allergology, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové, University Hospital Hradec Králové and Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - J Duintjer Tebbens
- Department of Biophysics and Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Ivone Cristina Igreja E Sá
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, 500 05, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - K Tripská
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, 500 05, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - M Vicen
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, 500 05, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - I Najmanová
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, 500 05, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - P Nachtigal
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, 500 05, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic.
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Vrablik M, Tichý L, Freiberger T, Blaha V, Satny M, Hubacek JA. Genetics of Familial Hypercholesterolemia: New Insights. Front Genet 2020; 11:574474. [PMID: 33133164 PMCID: PMC7575810 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.574474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is one of the most common monogenic diseases, leading to an increased risk of premature atherosclerosis and its cardiovascular complications due to its effect on plasma cholesterol levels. Variants of three genes (LDL-R, APOB and PCSK9) are the major causes of FH, but in some probands, the FH phenotype is associated with variants of other genes. Alternatively, the typical clinical picture of FH can result from the accumulation of common cholesterol-increasing alleles (polygenic FH). Although the Czech Republic is one of the most successful countries with respect to FH detection, approximately 80% of FH patients remain undiagnosed. The opportunities for international collaboration and experience sharing within international programs (e.g., EAS FHSC, ScreenPro FH, etc.) will improve the detection of FH patients in the future and enable even more accessible and accurate genetic diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Vrablik
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Lukas Tichý
- Centre of Molecular Biology and Gene Therapy, University Hospital, Brno, Czechia
| | - Tomas Freiberger
- Centre for Cardiovascular Surgery and Transplantation, Brno, and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Vladimir Blaha
- Internal Gerontometabolic Department, Charles University and University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czechia
| | - Martin Satny
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Jaroslav A Hubacek
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia.,Experimental Medicine Centre, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czechia
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Miname MH, Santos RD. Reducing cardiovascular risk in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia: Risk prediction and lipid management. Prog Cardiovasc Dis 2019; 62:414-422. [PMID: 31669498 DOI: 10.1016/j.pcad.2019.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a frequent genetic disorder characterized by elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and early onset of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. FH is caused by mutations in genes that regulate LDL catabolism, mainly the LDL receptor (LDLR), apolipoprotein B (APOB) and gain of function of proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9). However, the phenotype may be encountered in individuals not carrying the latter monogenic defects, in approximately 20% of these effects of polygenes predominate, and in many individuals no molecular defects are encountered at all. These so-called FH phenocopy individuals have an elevated atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk in comparison with normolipidemic individuals but this risk is lower than in those with monogenic disease. Individuals with FH are exposed to elevated LDL-C levels since birth and this explains the high cardiovascular, mainly coronary heart disease, burden of these subjects. However, recent studies show that this risk is heterogenous and depends not only on high LDL-C levels but also on presence of previous cardiovascular disease, a monogenic cause, male sex, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, low HDL-cholesterol, obesity and elevated lipoprotein(a). This heterogeneity in risk can be captured by risk equations like one from the SAFEHEART cohort and by detection of subclinical coronary atherosclerosis. High dose high potency statins are the main stain for LDL-C lowering in FH, however, in most situations these medications are not powered enough to reduce cholesterol to adequate levels. Ezetimibe and PCSK9 inhibitors should also be used in order to better treat LDL-C in FH patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcio H Miname
- Lipid Clinic Heart Institute (InCor), University of Sao Paulo Medical School Hospital, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Raul D Santos
- Lipid Clinic Heart Institute (InCor), University of Sao Paulo Medical School Hospital, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
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Montecucco F, Carbone F, Liberale L, Sahebkar A. Challenges in reducing atherosclerotic inflammation in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia. Eur J Prev Cardiol 2019; 27:2099-2101. [PMID: 31288540 DOI: 10.1177/2047487319862907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Montecucco
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino Genoa, Italian Cardiovascular Network, Italy.,Department of Internal Medicine, and Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genoa, Italy
| | - Federico Carbone
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino Genoa, Italian Cardiovascular Network, Italy.,Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Italy
| | - Luca Liberale
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Italy.,Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Amirhossein Sahebkar
- Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran.,Neurogenic Inflammation Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran.,School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran
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