AUTOANTIBODIES TO GANGLIOSIDES IN SERA OF ATHEROSCLEROTIC PATIENTS

Using ELISA we studied the levels and clinical correlation of serum an tibodies against gangliosides and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in patien ts with atherosclerosis and clinical manifestations of cardiovascular disease. A range of 70-80% of the patients showed higher titers of ant i-GM3((L)) and anti-5HT as compared to normal serum. The anti-GM3((L)) antibodies appeared to be directed mainly against GM3 present in plat elets and were much less reactive against GM3 isolated from the aorta. We concluded that the antigens responsible for the elevated anti-GM3( (L)) and anti 5-HT levels in atherosclerotic sera are released by vess el-wall activated platelets. These results provide further evidence of on-going autoimmune processes in atherosclerosis. The content of tota l sialic (TS) and lipid-bound sialic acid (LBS) was measured in sera o f patients with IHD and of similar numbers of healthy donors. Tn the p atient groups the average TS and LBS concentration was about 25% highe r than in the control group. These changes appeared to be associated w ith higher degrees of protein sialylation and larger amounts of LDL in the patient sera than in those of healthy controls. (C) 1998 Publishe d by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.