Reduced plasma PCSK9 response in patients with bacteraemia is associated with mortality

BACKGROUND

The proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) enzyme controls blood cholesterol levels by downregulating the expression of the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR). Pathogenic lipids (e.g. lipopolysaccharide) are removed from the circulation by an LDLR/PCSK9-dependent mechanism; thus, it has been suggested that PCSK9 inhibitors may be beneficial in the treatment of infections. We measured plasma PCSK9 levels in patients with culture-positive bacteraemia and explored pathogen-dependent and infection site-dependent effects as well as correlations between patient characteristics and outcome.

METHODS

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 in the plasma was measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay from 481 patients with blood culture-positive infection on days 0 to 4 after admission to the emergency department. Patient outcome and clinical and laboratory data were gathered retrospectively from patient records.

RESULTS

The plasma PCSK9 level was elevated equally in patients with Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacterial infections; particularly high levels were seen in patients with a lower respiratory tract infection and Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteraemia. PCSK9 levels showed a significant positive correlation with C-reactive protein (CRP) level. Bacteraemia patients with liver disease or a history of alcohol abuse had significantly lower levels of plasma PCSK9. Reduced PCSK9 plasma responses in patients were significantly associated with mortality at days 7, 28 and 90.

CONCLUSION

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 is upregulated in blood culture-positive infections. Plasma PCSK9 resembles acute-phase proteins; its expression is induced during an infection, reduced in liver disease and correlates positively with CRP level. We have shown that PCSK9 levels are lower in patients with a fatal prognosis.

Elevated levels of synovial fluid antibodies reactive with the small proteoglycans biglycan and decorin in patients with rheumatoid arthritis or other joint diseases

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) express humoral immunity to the small proteoglycans biglycan and decorin and to compare the response to that of patients suffering from other joint diseases.

METHODS

Serum and synovial fluid IgG and IgM antibody levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Antibodies to biglycan and decorin as well as to other known and extensively investigated cartilage matrix components such as type II collagen, aggrecan and fibronectin were investigated. Patients suffering from RA, osteoarthritis (OA), psoriatic arthritis and other seronegative spondylarthropathies were included in the study. Correlation between antibody levels and clinical/laboratory parameters was determined.

RESULTS

Patients with RA expressed an increased humoral immunity to biglycan, while patients with seronegative spondylarthropathies displayed elevated decorin-specific synovial antibody levels compared with OA patients.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate a significantly higher immunity to small proteoglycans in RA and seronegative spondylarthropathies than in OA suggesting a possible involvement in the pathogenesis of inflammatory rheumatic diseases.