Kimoto K, Inoue T, Oku K, Mori T, Kusuda M, Handa K, Sakata N, Sasaki J, Arakawa K
Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Fukuoka University, Japan.
Artery. 1996;22(2):101-14.
C4b binding protein (C4bp) is a regulator of the classical pathway of the complementing system. It forms a complex with protein S which serves as a cofactor of coagulation inhibitor, protein C. We have reported that C4bp is an acute phase reactant and associated with total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations (Biochim. Biophys. Acta 963 (1988) 98-108). This suggests a possible association of C4bp with athero-sclerosis. We examined the relation of C4bp levels and the severity of atherosclerosis of the descending thoracic aorta in 98 Japanese men. The severity of aortic atherosclerosis was assessed by average sclerotic length (ASL) and average sclerotic area (ASA), using transesophageal echocardiography. After adjustment for age, C4bp levels increased significantly with increasing ASL and ASA. The association remained significant even after adjusting for total cholesterol, hypertension, smoking, drinking, body mass index, fasting blood sugar, and uric acid. Immunohistochemical analysis of specimens of the descending thoracic aorta from autopsies, demonstrated the presence of C4bp in the foamy macrophages of fatty streaks and the necrotic core of atheromatous plaque. These findings indicate that the serum level of C4bp can serve as an independent indicator of aortic athero-sclerosis.
C4b结合蛋白（C4bp）是补体系统经典途径的一种调节因子。它与蛋白S形成复合物，而蛋白S作为凝血抑制剂蛋白C的辅因子。我们曾报道C4bp是一种急性期反应物，与总胆固醇和甘油三酯浓度相关（《生物化学与生物物理学报》963 (1988) 98 - 108）。这表明C4bp与动脉粥样硬化可能存在关联。我们研究了98名日本男性中C4bp水平与胸降主动脉粥样硬化严重程度之间的关系。使用经食管超声心动图，通过平均硬化长度（ASL）和平均硬化面积（ASA）评估主动脉粥样硬化的严重程度。在对年龄进行校正后，C4bp水平随ASL和ASA的增加而显著升高。即使在对总胆固醇、高血压、吸烟、饮酒、体重指数、空腹血糖和尿酸进行校正后，这种关联仍然显著。对尸检获得的胸降主动脉标本进行免疫组织化学分析，结果显示在脂肪条纹的泡沫巨噬细胞和动脉粥样斑块的坏死核心中存在C4bp。这些发现表明，C4bp的血清水平可作为主动脉粥样硬化的一个独立指标。
