Association of Serum Thromboinflammatory Biomarkers With Atherosclerotic Plaques and Burden in a Community-Based Population

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of atherosclerosis involves complex mechanisms, with inflammation playing a central role. Thromboinflammation may contribute to its development and progression. We investigated the association between circulating thromboinflammatory biomarkers and atherosclerotic plaques. METHODS: Participants aged 50 to 75 years from the baseline survey of the PRECISE study (Polyvascular Evaluation for Cognitive Impairment and Vascular Events) were included. Serum levels of thromboinflammatory biomarkers (sGPVI [soluble glycoprotein VI]; sADAMTS13 [soluble a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13]; and sP-selectin) were assessed by ELISA and Luminex assays and categorized into quartiles based on their empirical distribution within the study population. Eligible participants underwent imaging using computed tomography angiography and magnetic resonance imaging for coronary atherosclerosis, intracranial atherosclerosis, and extracranial atherosclerosis, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 3019 participants (mean age, 61.20±6.68 years; 46.47% male) were analyzed. After multivariable adjustment, participants in the fourth quartile of sGPVI levels had higher odds of coronary atherosclerotic plaque burden (common odds ratio, 1.42 [95% CI, 1.14–1.76]; P =0.0017). Conversely, those in the highest sADAMTS13 quartile had lower odds of coronary plaques (odds ratio, 0.75 [95% CI, 0.60–0.93]; P =0.0094), as well as reduced coronary plaque burden, including segment involvement score (common odds ratio, 0.75 [95% CI, 0.61–0.93]; P =0.0087) and segment stenosis score (common odds ratio, 0.75 [95% CI, 0.61–0.93]; P =0.0086). No significant associations were observed between sGPVI or sADAMTS13 levels and intracranial or extracranial atherosclerosis. Likewise, after multivariable adjustment, no significant associations were observed between sP-selectin (soluble P-selectin) levels and coronary, intracranial, or extracranial atherosclerosis. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, serum sADAMTS13 levels showed a negative association with both the presence and burden of coronary atherosclerosis, while sGPVI levels showed a positive association with the burden of coronary atherosclerosis. However, significant associations between the level of thromboinflammatory biomarkers, intracranial atherosclerosis, and extracranial atherosclerosis were not found.