Soluble levels and endogenous vascular gene expression of KLOTHO are related to inflammation in human atherosclerotic disease

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting the artery wall. Klotho, an anti-aging factor expressed in the vessel wallsthat participates in the maintenance of vascular homeostasis, can be downregulated by inflammation. In this proof-of-concept work we seek to characterize the arterial KLOTHO expression in the vascular wall, as well as the serum concentration of this protein, in a group of patients with clinical atherosclerotic disease. In addition, we aim to analyze the relationship between Klotho and inflammation. Vascular samples were obtained from 27 patients with atherosclerotic disease under an elective vascular surgery procedure, and from 11 control subjects (cadaveric organ donation programme). qRT-PCR was performed to analyze the gene expression of KLOTHO, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10 . Serum levels of soluble KLOTHO were measured by ELISA. As compared with control subjects, serum concentrations and vascular expression of Klothowere lower in patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease, whereas inflammatory status wassignificantly higher. There was a negative and significant correlation between inflammatory parameters and Klotho. After controlling for the effect of other variables, partial correlation showed a direct relationship between vascular KLOTHO gene expression and IL-10 mRNA levels, whereas there was a negative association with serum LDL concentrations and vascular TNF-α expression. Our study indicates an inverse interrelatio...
Source: Clinical Science - Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Tags: PublishAheadOfPrint Source Type: research