Elevated levels of circulating DNA and chromatin are independently associated with severe coronary atherosclerosis and a prothrombotic state.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Aberrant neutrophil activation occurs during the advanced stages of atherosclerosis. Once primed, neutrophils can undergo apoptosis or release neutrophil extracellular traps. This extracellular DNA exerts potent proinflammatory, prothrombotic, and cytotoxic properties. The goal of this study was to examine the relationships among extracellular DNA formation, coronary atherosclerosis, and the presence of a prothrombotic state.

Approach and results

In a prospective, observational, cross-sectional cohort of 282 individuals with suspected coronary artery disease, we examined the severity, extent, and phenotype of coronary atherosclerosis using coronary computed tomographic angiography. Double-stranded DNA, nucleosomes, citrullinated histone H4, and myeloperoxidase-DNA

SUBMITTER: Borissoff JI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3806482 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature