Autoantibody against NBL1 in obstructive sleep apnea patients with cardiovascular disease

Moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is known to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), but there is no accepted marker of the development of CVD in OSA patients. We evaluated the association of autoantibodies against neuroblastoma suppressor of tumorigenicity 1 (NBL1-Abs) and occurrence of cardiovascular events in OSA patients. Eighty-two adults diagnosed with OSA by polysomnography, 96 patients with a diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and 64 healthy volunteers were evaluated. Serum were collected on polysomnography evaluation from OSA patients, while collected at the onset of ACS from ACS patients. Serum NBL1-Ab level was measured by amplified luminescence proximity homogeneous assay and its association with clinical variables related to atherosclerosis was evaluated. Significant differences in NBL1-Ab level were observed in patients with OSA and ACS compared with healthy volunteers, and NBL1-Ab levels were significantly increased in OSA patients especially with severe OSA and CVD. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses identified elevated NBL1-Ab level as a significant predictor of CVD in OSA patients. Elevated NBL1-Abs may predict increased risk of cardiovascular events in patients with OSA. Patients with higher NBL1-Ab levels may require more careful and intensive treatment.