High plasma concentrations of autoantibodies against native peptide 210 of apoB-100 are related to less coronary atherosclerosis and lower risk of myocardial infarction

We examined whether antibodies against peptides 45 and 210 of apoB-100 are related to myocardial infarction (MI) and severity of coronary atherosclerosis. Three hundred and eighty-seven survivors of a first MI (aged <60 years) and 387 sex- and age-matched controls were characterized in detail. IgG and IgM autoantibodies against native and malondialdehyde (MDA)-modified peptides 45 and 210 of apoB-100 (amino acids 661–680 and 3136–3155) were quantified in plasma and quantitative coronary angiography was performed in 243 patients. Post-infarction patients had significantly lower IgG against the native peptide 210 (IgG-p210nat) and higher IgM against the MDA-modified peptide 210 (IgM-p210MDA) compared with controls, whereas no differences were found for other antibodies. Plasma concentrations of IgG-p210nat, but not IgM-p210MDA, were independently and inversely related to the degree of coronary atherosclerosis in patients. In multiple logistic regression analysis (including established risk indicators), MI risk was 0.55 (95%CI: 0.37–0.81) for individuals in the IgG-p210nat upper quartile compared with the remaining individuals. Circulating IgG antibodies against the native peptide 210 of apoB-100 are inversely related to the severity of coronary atherosclerosis and associated with lower risk of MI. Epitope 210 of apoB-100 emerges as a target for immunization against atherosclerosis in humans.