Matrix Gla protein is associated with coronary artery calcification as assessed by electron-beam computed tomography

Shuichi Jono; Yuji Ikari; Cees Vermeer; Paul Dissel; Kotaro Hasegawa; Atsushi Shioi; Hiromichi Taniwaki; Akane Kizu; Yoshiki Nishizawa; Shigeru Saito

doi:10.1160/TH03-08-0572

Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Table of Contents

Thromb Haemost 2004; 91(04): 790-794
DOI: 10.1160/TH03-08-0572

Cell Signaling and Vessel Remodeling

Schattauer GmbH

Matrix Gla protein is associated with coronary artery calcification as assessed by electron-beam computed tomography

Authors

Shuichi Jono

¹Department of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Molecular Medicine, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
Yuji Ikari

²Division of Cardiology, Mitsui Memorial Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
Cees Vermeer

³Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
Paul Dissel

³Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
Kotaro Hasegawa

⁴Division of Cardiology, Ageo Central General Hospital, Saitama, Japan
Atsushi Shioi

¹Department of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Molecular Medicine, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
Hiromichi Taniwaki

¹Department of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Molecular Medicine, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
Akane Kizu

¹Department of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Molecular Medicine, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
Yoshiki Nishizawa

¹Department of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Molecular Medicine, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
Shigeru Saito

⁵Division of Cardiology and Catheterization Laboratories, Heart Center of Shonan Kamakura General Hospital, Kamakura, Japan

Abstract

Summary

Matrix Gla protein (MGP) is an extracellular matrix protein with wide tissue distribution. It has been demonstrated that the expression of MGP is detected not only in the normal blood vessels but also calcified atherosclerotic plaques, and that MGP deficient mice develop extensive arterial calcification. MGP is thought to be a regulator of vascular calcification. A recent clinical study demonstrates the association between polymorphisms of the MGP gene and increased risk of myocardial infarction. However, there are no reports of the relationship between serum MGP levels and coronary artery calcification (CAC). We evaluated the severity of CAC using electron-beam computed tomography (EBCT), and measured serum MGP levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 115 subjects with suspected coronary artery disease. CAC scores were correlated with traditional risk factors, such as age, gender, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia and smoking. The serum MGP levels were lower in patients with CAC than in those without CAC (p<0.001). As the severity of CAC increased, there was a significant decrease in serum MGP levels. Serum MGP levels (U/L) were 116.7 ± 20.3, 104.9 ± 19.2, 95.2 ± 15.2 and 82.2 ± 19.7, (medians 115.5, 105.0, 94.8, and 81.9) for the subjects with normal (CAC score=0), mild (CAC score=1 to 99), moderate (CAC score=100 to 400), and severe (CAC score >400) coronary calcification, respectively. We found that serum MGP levels are inversely correlated with the severity of CAC. These data suggest a possible role for MGP in the development of vascular calcification.

Keywords

Matrix Gla protein - coronary artery calcification - atherosclerosis - vitamin K-dependent factors

Full Text

References

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