Sex differences of interferon-gamma levels according to burden of coronary atherosclerosis identified by CT coronary angiography
Göller M, Dey D, Bittner DO, Rösner C, Marwan M, Kilian T, Raaz-Schrauder D, Achenbach S (2025)
Publication Type: Other publication type
Publication year: 2025
Journal
Article Number: 104123
DOI: 10.1016/j.numecd.2025.104123
Abstract
Background and aims: The burden of coronary atherosclerosis differs between men and women. Beyond traditional cardiovascular risk factors, inflammatory biomarkers can influence plaque progression. We analyzed the influence of sex on coronary atherosclerosis and inflammatory cytokines. Methods and results: Coronary CT angiography was performed in 301 patients and the extent of coronary atherosclerosis was assessed using semi-automated software. We analyzed total (TPV), non-calcified (NCPV), calcified (CPV) and low-density plaque volume in mm3. Serum was analyzed for various cytokines. Out of 301 patients, 94 (31 %) were female and 207 (69 %) were male. Significant differences were seen between women and men respectively for age, BMI and smoking status (all p < 0.05). All plaque types showed significantly higher volumes in men as compared to women (all p < 0.05). In men, significantly lower serum levels for IL-2 (3.2vs.4.3; p = 0.01) and interferon-gamma (3.2vs.8.8; p < 0.001) but higher levels for MCP-1 (224vs.155; p < 0.001) were seen. In regression analysis, interferon-gamma - but not IL-2 or MCP-1 - showed significant inverse association with male sex (OR 0.32; 95 %CI: 0.16–0.67; p = 0.002). Of note, interferon-gamma levels significantly differed according to high and low TPV in men (16.8vs.9.9; p < 0.001) but not in women (14.5vs. 8.9; p = 0.65). Conclusion: In our cohort of individuals with suspected CAD undergoing coronary CTA, serum levels of interferon-gamma were significantly higher in women, in spite of a lower coronary plaque burden. Higher interferon-gamma levels were associated with higher plaque burden among men, but not in women, which suggests an influence of sex on the role of interferon-gamma in atherogenesis and atherosclerosis progression.
Authors with CRIS profile
Markus Göller
Department of Medicine 2 – Cardiology and Angiology
Daniel Bittner
Department of Medicine 2 – Cardiology and Angiology
Caroline Rösner
Medizinische Fakultät
Mohamed Marwan
Department of Medicine 2 – Cardiology and Angiology
Tobias Kilian
Department of Medicine 2 – Cardiology and Angiology
Dorette Raaz-Schrauder
Department of Medicine 2 – Cardiology and Angiology
Stephan Achenbach
Lehrstuhl für Innere Medizin II
Involved external institutions
United States (USA) (US)How to cite
APA:
Göller, M., Dey, D., Bittner, D.O., Rösner, C., Marwan, M., Kilian, T.,... Achenbach, S. (2025). Sex differences of interferon-gamma levels according to burden of coronary atherosclerosis identified by CT coronary angiography.
MLA:
Göller, Markus, et al. Sex differences of interferon-gamma levels according to burden of coronary atherosclerosis identified by CT coronary angiography. 2025.
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