Phosphorylcholine Conjugates and Corresponding Antibodies

摘要

IgG and IgM autoantibody levels against phosphorylcholine in subjects with hypertension (diastolic pressure>95 mmHg) were determined at baseline in order to determine the importance of antibodies for the development of atherosclerosis. The results show that increases in intima-media thickness (IMT) at a follow-up four years after baseline were significantly less prevalent in subjects having high IgM autoantibodies to phosphorylcholine. The presence or absence of IgM autoantibodies against phosphorylcholine is thus related to an increased or decreased risk of developing ischemic cardiovascular diseases. A method to determine IgM antibodies toward phosphorylcholine is proposed in this invention to identify subjects at risk of developing ischemic cardiovascular diseases. Animal experiments show that medium to high levels of IgM antibodies can be detected in plasma after active immunization with a keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH)-phosphorylcholine conjugate. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a phosphorylcholine conjugate (active immunization) or a monoclonal antibody with specificity to a phosphorylcholine conjugate (passive immunization) is proposed and the use of these compositions as active or passive immunogens in the treatment or prevention of atherosclerosis.