The association of serum proprotein convertase furin/PCSK3 concentrations with stable coronary artery disease and coroner artery lesion severity

INTRODUCTION: Furin (Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 3, PCSK3) is a proprotein convertase involved in the processing of precursor proteins. Furin substrates play significant roles in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis, which is the primary cause of coronary artery disease (CAD). This study aimed to investigate the serum furin concentrations in stable CAD patients and their relationship with disease severity.
METHODS: The study included 81 stable CAD patients and 50 subjects without coronary artery lesions. Coronary angiography was performed via the percutaneous femoral artery approach, and the severity of CAD was assessed using the Gensini score. Serum furin concentrations were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
RESULTS: Serum furin concentrations were significantly higher in CAD patients compared to CAD-negative subjects (p=0.0001). The serum furin levels of mild, moderate, and severe CAD patients were 1.53 ng/mL, 2.01 ng/mL, and 3.03 ng/mL, respectively, which were significantly different from CAD-negative subjects (p=0.018, p=0.002, and p=0.0001, respectively). Furin levels were found to be an independent predictor of CAD and exhibited potential diagnostic value for CAD and severe CAD.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The study concluded that serum furin concentrations could be considered a new risk factor for CAD, in addition to well-known biomarkers.