<p class="first" id="d3902163e233">Our goal was to measure the association of CXCL5
and molecular phenotypes associated
with coronary atherosclerosis severity in patients at least 65 years old. CXCL5 is
classically defined as a proinflammatory chemokine, but its role in chronic inflammatory
diseases, such as coronary atherosclerosis, is not well defined. We enrolled individuals
who were at least 65 years old and undergoing diagnostic cardiac catheterization.
Coronary artery disease (CAD) severity was quantified in each subject via coronary
angiography by calculating a CAD score. Circulating CXCL5 levels were measured from
plasma, and both DNA genotyping and mRNA expression levels in peripheral blood mononuclear
cells were quantified via microarray gene chips. We observed a negative association
of CXCL5 levels with CAD at an odds ratio (OR) of 0.46 (95% CI, 0.27–0.75). Controlling
for covariates, including sex, statin use, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obesity,
self-reported race, smoking, and diabetes, the OR was not significantly affected [OR,
0.54 (95% CI, 0.31–0.96)], consistent with a protective role for CXCL5 in coronary
atherosclerosis. We also identified 18 genomic regions with expression quantitative
trait loci of genes correlated with both CAD severity and circulating CXCL5 levels.
Our clinical findings are consistent with the emerging link between chemokines and
atherosclerosis and suggest new therapeutic targets for CAD.
</p>