Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is strongly linked to inflammation, with inflammatory markers indicating someone’s risk of developing CVD. Anti-inflammatory antibodies, such as IgM anti-PC, have been associated with protection against CVD in men. A new study from the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden has found that low levels of IgM anti-PC are linked to atherosclerosis and heart attacks in older women, while higher levels seem to have a protective effect. This discovery could potentially be used to identify women at risk of CVD and may lead to the development of a vaccine against atherosclerosis.
CVDs, which affect the heart and circulatory system, are the leading cause of death worldwide. Identifying individuals at risk of developing CVD is crucial in preventing premature death from these conditions. The latest study focused on the effects of IgM anti-PC in postmenopausal women, revealing that higher levels of this antibody protected women against CVD, while low levels were associated with atherosclerosis and heart attacks. The findings suggest that IgM anti-PC levels could serve as a potential marker to assess an individual’s risk of heart disease, particularly in women.
Although heart disease is often thought to impact more men than women, it is actually the leading cause of death for women in the United States. Hormonal changes following menopause increase the risk of coronary artery disease in women, resulting in a build-up of plaques in the arteries that can lead to heart attacks. The study measured IgM anti-PC levels in a group of postmenopausal women without a history of heart disease. Higher levels of IgM anti-PC were associated with a significantly lower risk of developing CVD, ischemic heart disease, heart attacks, and other cardiovascular events over a 16-year follow-up period.
Lead author Johan Frostegård, a Professor of Medicine at the Karolinska Institutet, highlighted the significance of the findings in understanding the inflammatory mechanisms underlying CVD and atherosclerosis. Women generally have higher anti-PC levels compared to men and tend to develop CVD later in life, suggesting the potential importance of these antibodies in preventing and treating heart disease among women. Further research is needed to determine the specific levels of anti-PC that can accurately predict an individual’s risk of CVD.
In a separate study involving wild brown bears, researchers found that hibernating bears with high anti-PC levels did not develop atherosclerosis or CVD, despite pre-hibernation obesity. This observation has led to the suggestion that immunization to boost anti-PC levels could be a viable strategy for individuals with low levels of this antibody. Frostegård proposed that a vaccine targeting anti-PC could be administered in middle age or earlier to prevent the development of atherosclerosis and potentially reduce the risk of other chronic inflammatory diseases. However, further studies are required to confirm the protective effects of anti-PC antibodies and determine the optimal vaccination strategies for preventing heart disease.
