Antibodies of IgM subclass to phosphorylcholine and oxidized LDL are protective factors for atherosclerosis in patients with hypertension

Objective: To determine the importance of antibodies against phosphorylcholine (PC) and oxidized low density lipoprotein (OxLDL) for development of atherosclerosis. Methods and results: Two hundred and twenty six individuals with established hypertension (diastolic pressure > 95 mmHg) were from European Lacidipine Study on Atherosclerosis. Antibodies of IgG and IgM subclass were tested by ELISA against PC (aPC), cupper-oxidized (ox)- or malondialdehyde (MDA)-modified LDL. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein was measured by nephelometry. As a surrogate measure of atherosclerosis, we used the mean of the maximum intima-media thicknesses (IMT) in the far walls of common carotids and bifurcations was determined by ultrasonography at the time of enrolment, and 4 years following enrolment. aPC could be competed out by PC and OxLDL, while cardiolipin (CL) and beta 2-glycoprotein I (beta 2GPI) were less effective and phosphatidylserine (PS) not at all. Increases in IMT at follow-up were less common in subjects which at the time of enrolment had high IgM aPC (both 75th and 90th; odds ratios: 0.46; Cl: 0.25-0.85; 0.36; Cl: 0.15-0.87) and high IgM aOxLDL and aMDA-LDL (90th; odds ratios 0.27; p = 0.01; Cl: 0.11-0.69 and 0.27; p = 0.01; Cl: 0.11-0.69). CRP was unrelated to IMT-changes. The relationship between IgM aPC, aOxLDL and aMDA-LDL and changes in IMT was independent of age, treatment with atenolol or lacidipine, smoking and lipids. Women had higher levels of IgM antibodies tested (p < 0.05). Conclusions: High levels of IgM-antibodies against PC and OxLDL predict a favourable outcome in the development of carotid atherosclerosis in hypertensive subjects. Whether these antibodies could be used therapeutically deserves further study. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.