Stromal Cell‑derived Factor‑1 and CXC Chemokine Receptor Type‑4 are Associated with Cardiovascular Disease in Patients under Hemodialysis

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most common cause of death among patients
with end‑stage renal disease especially whom under hemodialysis (HD). Stromal cell‑derived
factor‑1 (SDF‑1) and its receptor CXC chemokine receptor type‑4 (CXCR4) could contribute to
CVD. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the association between SDF‑1 and CXCR4 with
CVD and its related risk factors in patients under HD.

Methods: Sixty patients under HD and 29
healthy subjects were recruited in the study. The serum levels and relative messenger RNA (mRNA)
expressions of SDF‑1 and CXCR4 were measured using enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay and
real‑time polymerase chain reaction in patients and controls, respectively. CVD history of the patients
was obtained.

Results: Twenty patients (33.3%) had a history of CVD. The mean levels of serum and
relative mRNA expressions of SDF‑1 and CXCR4 were higher in patients than controls and also in
patients with a history of CVD than patients without it. The serum levels and relative expressions of
SDF‑1 and CXCR4 were positively correlated with blood urea nitrogen, parathyroid hormone, and
high‑sensitivity C‑reactive protein and inversely correlated with hemoglobin. The history of CVD was
the independent predictor of serum levels of SDF‑1 and CXCR4 and also relative mRNA expression
of CXCR4.

Conclusions: The higher levels of serum and relative mRNA expressions of SDF‑1 and
CXCR4 were associated with CVD in patients under HD. Furthermore, SDF‑1 and CXCR4 were
associated with several traditional and uremia‑related CVD risk factors in such patients.

Keywords: Cardiovascular disease, CXC chemokine receptor type 4, end‑stage renal disease, hemodialysis, stromal cell‑derived factor‑1