High Plasma Levels of Soluble Talin-1 in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

AIMS: Talin-1 is a cytoskeletal protein that binds integrin, thereby leading to integrin activation and affecting focal adhesions. Recently, talin-1 expression was reported to be downregulated in human atherosclerotic plaques. However, blood levels of soluble talin-1 (sTalin-1) in patients with atherosclerotic disease, such as coronary artery disease (CAD), have not been elucidated. METHODS: We measured plasma sTalin-1 levels in 349 patients undergoing elective coronary angiography. The severity of CAD was represented as the number of stenotic coronary vessels and segments. RESULTS: Of the 349 study patients, CAD was found in 194 patients, of whom 88 had 1-vessel disease (1-VD), 60 had 2-vessel disease (2-VD), and 46 had 3-vessel disease (3-VD). Plasma sTalin-1 levels were higher in 194 patients with CAD than in 155 without CAD (CAD(-) group) (median 0.30 vs. 0.23 ng/mL, P < 0.005). A stepwise increase in sTalin-1 levels was found depending on the number of >50% stenotic coronary vessels: 0.23 in CAD(-), 0.29 in 1-VD, 0.30 in 2-VD, and 0.32 ng/mL in 3-VD group, respectively, (P < 0.05). High sTalin-1 level (>0.28 ng/mL) was found in 36% of CAD(-), 51% of 1-VD, 53% of 2-VD, and 59% of 3-VD group (P < 0.025). sTalin-1 levels also correlated with the number of >50% stenotic segments (r = 0.14, P < 0.02). The multivariate analysis revealed that sTalin-1 levels were independently associated with CAD. The odds ratio for CAD was 1.83 (95%CI = 1.14 − 2.93) for high sTalin-1 level (>0.28 ng/mL) (P < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Plasma sTalin-1 levels in patients with CAD were found to be high and to be associated with the presence and severity of CAD, suggesting a role of sTalin-1 in the progression of coronary atherosclerosis.