Association of carotid atheroma plaque with IL-18 levels and with polymorphisms in the IL-18 receptor gene in a Mediterranean population

Clin Investig Arterioscler. 2024 Jul-Aug;36(4):210-217. doi: 10.1016/j.arteri.2023.12.005. Epub 2024 Jan 11.
[Article in English, Spanish]

Abstract

Background: Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease. Interleukin 18 (IL-18) is an inflammatory molecule that has been linked to the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.

Objective: To evaluate the possible relationship between plasma levels of IL-18 and the presence of atherosclerosis evaluated at the carotid level, as well as to analyze the possible modulation by different polymorphisms in a Mediterranean population.

Material and methods: Seven hundred and forty-six individuals from the metropolitan area of Valencia were included, recruited over a period of 2 years. Hydrocarbon and lipid metabolism parameters were determined using standard methodology and IL-18 using ELISA. In addition, carotid ultrasound was performed and the genotype of four SNPs related to the IL-18 signaling pathway was analyzed.

Results: Patients with higher plasma levels of IL-18 had other associated cardiovascular risk factors. Elevated IL-18 levels were significantly associated with higher carotid IMT and the presence of atheromatous plaques. The genotype with the A allele of the SNP rs2287037 was associated with a higher prevalence of carotid atheromatous plaque. On the contrary, the genotype with the C allele of the SNP rs2293224 was associated with a lower prevalence of atheromatous plaque.

Conclusions: High levels of IL-18 were significantly associated with a higher carotid IMT and the presence of atheromatous plaques, which appear to be influenced by genetic factors, as evidenced by associations between SNPs in the IL-18 receptor gene and the presence of atheroma plaque.

Keywords: Arteriosclerosis; Atheroma plaque; Atherosclerosis; IL-18; Inflamación; Inflammation; Placa de ateroma; Polimorfismo; Polymorphism.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Alleles
  • Atherosclerosis / genetics
  • Carotid Artery Diseases* / genetics
  • Carotid Intima-Media Thickness*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Genotype*
  • Heart Disease Risk Factors
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-18* / genetics
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Plaque, Atherosclerotic* / genetics
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide*
  • Receptors, Interleukin-18 / genetics
  • Risk Factors
  • Spain

Substances

  • IL18 protein, human
  • Interleukin-18
  • Receptors, Interleukin-18