Abstract 16374: Low Density Granulocytes Associate With Non-Calcified Coronary Plaque in Psoriasis

Introduction: Atherogenesis in now recognized as an immune-driven, inflammatory process, however the mechanisms driving inflammatory atherogenesis remain to be elucidated. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease associated with early cardiovascular (CV) disease. Low density granulocytes (LDGs), a subset of neutrophils, were recently shown to be important in early vascular disease development in human inflammatory states but are not well characterized in psoriasis. Methods: Consecutively recruited PSO patients (N=81) and healthy controls (n=36) underwent CCTA (Toshiba, 320-detector row) for coronary plaque characterization. Total and non-calcified plaque burden were quantified using QAngio (Medis). Circulating LDGs were measured via flow cytometry. In vitro experiments were conducted to measure NETosis and LDG cytotoxicity. In order to understand if treatment of skin disease with anti-TNF therapy reduces LDG frequency, we followed 8 biologically naive psoriasis patients treated with anti-TNF for o...