| Title | Interleukin-2 levels are associated with carotid artery intima-media thickness. | | Author(s) | Elkind MS, Rundek T, Sciacca RR, Ramas R, Chen HJ, Boden-Albala B, Rabbani L, Sacco RL | | Institution | Department of Neurology, Neurology/Stroke Division, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, 710 West 168th Street, Rm 641, New York, NY 10032, USA. mse13@columbia.edu | | Source | Atherosclerosis 2005 May; 180(1):181-7. | | MeSH | Aged
Biological Markers
C-Reactive Protein
Carotid Arteries
Carotid Artery Diseases
Female
Humans
Interleukin-1
Interleukin-2
Interleukin-6
Linear Models
Male
Middle Aged
Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type I
Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type II
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
Risk Factors
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
Tunica Intima
Tunica Media
| | Abstract | OBJECTIVE: To show that serum interleukin levels are associated with carotid intima-media thickness (IMT).
BACKGROUND: Inflammation is hypothesized to play a central role in atherogenesis, and serum markers of inflammation are predictive of cardiovascular disease. Interleukin-2, a pro-inflammatory cytokine produced largely by naive CD4 T cells and Th1 (pro-inflammatory) T cells, has been found in a high proportion of carotid plaques.
METHODS: High-resolution ultrasound of the carotid arteries and serum cytokine levels were measured in stroke-free participants. The mean of the maximum IMT in bilateral bifurcation, common and internal carotid artery segments was measured. Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-2, IL-6, C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha and TNF receptors were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
RESULTS: IL-2 levels were significantly correlated with IMT (r=0.33, P<0.0001), but other cytokines were not. Each unit increase in IL-2 was significantly associated with a mean increase in IMT of 0.18 mm (P=0.0001). After adjusting for other atherosclerotic risk factors, the association was unchanged (mean increase in IMT per unit increase IL-2=0.18 mm, P<0.0001). Each standard deviation increase in the level of IL-2 was associated with an increased risk (adjusted odds ratio 1.80, 95% CI 1.12-2.89) for an IMT> or =1.0mm (75th percentile for IMT).
CONCLUSION: Serum levels of IL-2, a pro-inflammatory cytokine, are associated with carotid artery IMT, a predictor of stroke and vascular disease. Serum inflammatory markers may provide a novel marker of atherosclerotic risk, and inflammation may provide a new therapeutic target for stroke prevention. | | Language | eng | | Pub Type(s) | Journal Article
| | PubMed ID | 15823291 |
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