Inflammation is strongly linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD), and certain inflammatory markers may signal an individual’s risk of developing CVD. Recent research has shown that anti-inflammatory antibodies, particularly IgM anti-PC, are associated with protection against CVD in men. A new study has found that low levels of IgM anti-PC are linked to atherosclerosis and heart attacks in older women, while higher levels appear to provide a protective effect. These findings could be utilized to identify women at risk of CVD and potentially contribute to the development of a vaccine against atherosclerosis.
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) involve conditions that affect the circulatory system, including the heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries. They are the leading cause of death globally, responsible for 17.9 million deaths annually. Identifying individuals at risk of CVD can be crucial in preventing premature death from these conditions. The latest findings from the Karolinska Institutet suggest a possible method of identifying women at higher risk of CVD, based on the levels of IgM anti-PC in postmenopausal women. Higher levels of this antibody were found to protect against CVD, while low levels were associated with atherosclerosis and heart attacks in this population.
Although it is commonly believed that heart disease predominantly affects men, it is actually the leading cause of death for women in the United States. Hormonal changes following menopause increase the likelihood of coronary artery disease, leading to the build-up of plaques in the arteries that can result in heart attacks. In the study from the Karolinska Institutet, researchers assessed IgM anti-PC levels in almost 1,000 women with no history of heart disease. Followed up for 16 years, those with the highest IgM anti-PC levels had a significantly lower risk of developing CVD, particularly ischemic heart disease and heart attacks, compared to those with lower levels.
Lead author Johan Frostegård explained that the findings suggest that CVD and atherosclerosis are inflammatory conditions where immunity plays a significant role. Women have higher levels of anti-PC than men and tend to develop CVD later in life. The researchers are planning a larger study involving both men and women to establish the threshold of anti-PC levels that can indicate the risk of CVD. Frostegård’s team also discovered high levels of anti-PC in hibernating brown bears, suggesting a potential role for immunization to increase anti-PC levels in individuals with low levels, possibly through the development of a vaccine targeted at atherosclerosis and other conditions involving chronic inflammation.
While the possibility of a vaccine to raise anti-PC levels is promising, further research is needed to confirm the direct protective effects of these antibodies against heart disease. Vaccines that elevate anti-PC levels would be beneficial only if these antibodies are directly involved in preventing heart disease, rather than being simply a marker of future risk. Larger prospective studies are essential to validate these findings and establish the specific levels of anti-PC antibodies that can accurately predict the risk of developing CVD. Vaccination strategies targeting anti-PC could potentially offer new avenues for prevention and treatment of CVD, particularly among individuals with lower levels of this protective antibody.
