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BMC Neurology

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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Stroke | Research

IL6 trans-signaling associates with ischemic stroke but not with atrial fibrillation

Authors: Louise Ziegler, Håkan Wallén, Sara Aspberg, Ulf de Faire, Bruna Gigante

Published in: BMC Neurology | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

Pro-inflammatory processes underlie ischemic stroke, albeit it is largely unknown if they selectively associate with the risk of atherothrombotic or cardioembolic ischemic stroke. Here we analyze whether pro-inflammatory interleukin (IL) 6 trans-signaling, is associated with the risk of ischemic stroke and underlying atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods

During a 20-year follow-up, 203 incident ischemic strokes were recorded from national registers in the cohort of 60-year-old men and women from Stockholm (n = 4232). The risk of ischemic stroke associated with circulating IL6 trans-signaling, assessed by a ratio between the pro-inflammatory binary IL6:sIL6R complex and the inactive ternary IL6:sIL6R:sgp130 complex (B/T ratio), was estimated by Cox regression and expressed as hazard ratio (HR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) in the presence or absence of AF. Risk estimates were adjusted for cardiovascular risk factors and anticoagulant treatment. In a secondary analysis, the association of IL6 trans-signaling with the risk of incident AF (n = 279) was analyzed.

Results

B/T ratio > median was associated with increased risk of ischemic stroke in study participants without AF (adjusted HR 1.49; 95% CI 1.08–2.06), while an association could not be demonstrated in the presence of AF. Moreover, the B/T ratio was not associated with the risk of AF (HR 0.96; 95% CI 0.75–1.24).

Conclusions

Pro-inflammatory IL6 trans-signaling, estimated by the B/T ratio, is associated with ischemic stroke in individuals without AF. These findings suggest that the B/T ratio could be used to assess the risk of non-AF associated ischemic stroke.

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Title: IL6 trans-signaling associates with ischemic stroke but not with atrial fibrillation
Authors: Louise Ziegler
Håkan Wallén
Sara Aspberg
Ulf de Faire
Bruna Gigante
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Stroke
Atrial Fibrillation
Published in: BMC Neurology / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2377
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-021-02321-6

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

IL6 trans-signaling associates with ischemic stroke but not with atrial fibrillation

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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