Antibodies against β2-glycoprotein I complexed with an oxidised lipoprotein relate to intima thickening of carotid arteries in primary antiphospholipid syndrome

To explore whether antibodies against β₂-glycoprotein I (β₂GPI) complexed to 7-ketocholesteryl-9-carboxynonanoate (oxLig-1) and to oxidised low-density lipoproteins (oxLDL) relate to paraoxonase activity (PONa) and/or intima media thickness (IMT) of carotid arteries in primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS). As many as 29 thrombotic patients with PAPS, 10 subjects with idiopathic antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) without thrombosis, 17 thrombotic patients with inherited thrombophilia and 23 healthy controls were investigated. The following were measured in all participants: β₂GPI-oxLDL complexes, IgG anti-β₂GPI-oxLig-1, IgG anti-β₂GPI-oxLDL antibodies (ELISA), PONa, (para-nitrophenol method), IMT of common carotid (CC) artery, carotid bifurcation (B), internal carotid (IC) by high resolution sonography. β₂GPI-oxLDL complex was highest in the control group (p < 0.01), whereas, IgG anti-β₂GPI-oxLig1 and IgG anti-β₂GPI-oxLDL were highest in PAPS (p < 0.0001). In healthy controls, β₂GPI- oxLDL complexes positively correlated to IMT of the IC (p = 0.007) and negatively to PONa after correction for age (p < 0.03). PONa inversely correlated with age (p = 0.008). In PAPS, IgG anti-β₂GPI-oxLig-1 independently predicted PONa (p = 0.02) and IMT of B (p = 0.003), CC, (p = 0.03) and of IC (p = 0.04). In PAPS, PONa inversely correlated to the IMTof B, CC and IC (p = 0.01, 0.02 and 0.003, respectively). IgG anti- β₂GPI-oxLig-1 may be involved in PAPS related atherogenesis via decreased PON activity.