Relationship between serum IgG4 concentrations and atherosclerotic coronary plaques assessed by computed tomographic angiography

• Published in: Journal of cardiology Vol. 67; no. 3; pp. 254 - 261
• Main Authors: Sakamoto, Aiko, MD, PhD, Ishizaka, Nobukazu, MD, PhD, FJCC, Imai, Yasushi, MD, PhD, Uehara, Masae, MD, PhD, Ando, Jiro, MD, Nagai, Ryozo, MD, PhD, FJCC, Komuro, Issei, MD, PhD, FJCC
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2016
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Angiography - methods; Biomarkers; Calcinosis - blood; Calcinosis - diagnostic imaging; Cardiovascular; Coronary Artery Disease - blood; Coronary Artery Disease - diagnostic imaging; Coronary computed tomographic angiography; Coronary plaque vulnerability; Female; Humans; IgG4; Immuno-inflammation; Immunoglobulin G - blood; Male; Middle Aged; Odds Ratio; Plaque, Atherosclerotic - blood; Plaque, Atherosclerotic - diagnostic imaging; Tomography, X-Ray Computed - methods; Biomarkers; IgG4; Immuno-inflammation; Coronary plaque vulnerability; Coronary computed tomographic angiography
• ISSN: 0914-5087; 1876-4738
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jjcc.2015.05.012

Abstract Background Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related immuno-inflammation has been suggested to affect the development of coronary artery atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to analyze the association of serum IgG4 concentrations with calcified and non-calcified coronary plaques. Methods Serum IgG4 concentrations were measured in 263 patients who underwent 320-slice coronary computed tomographic (CT) angiography. Vulnerable coronary plaques were evaluated for CT plaque characteristics, including low-density plaque (LDP), positive remodeling, and spotty calcification. Results Serum concentrations of IgG4 were significantly higher in patients with non-calcified plaque (NCP) than in those without (32.2 mg/dL vs. 23.7 mg/dL, p = 0.029). By contrast, the median serum IgG4 concentrations in patients with and without calcified plaque were 31.2 mg/dL and 26.2 mg/dL, respectively ( p = 0.107). Serum IgG4 concentrations were significantly elevated in patients with LDP (33.5 mg/dL vs. 26.9 mg/dL, p = 0.002) and in those with positive remodeling (31.4 mg/dL vs. 28.4 mg/dL, p = 0.039) than in those without. Patients with spotty calcification also had significantly higher serum IgG4 concentrations than those without (32.1 mg/dL vs. 24.9 mg/dL, p = 0.049). In age- and gender-adjusted logistic regression analysis, the highest IgG4 quartile (≥56.7 mg/dL) was significantly associated with LDP with an odds ratio of 2.49 (95% CI, 1.15–5.36, p = 0.020). Conclusions Serum IgG4 concentrations were significantly associated with NCP, especially with LDP, suggesting that IgG4-related immuno-inflammation may play a role in coronary plaque vulnerability.