Hidden Danger: How Neutrophil Calprotectin Unmasks Future Atherosclerotic Heart Disease Risk

New research led by Dr. Ray Zuo, a rheumatologist at U-M, suggests that calprotectin, a protein linked to immune system activity, could be an early warning sign for heart disease. In collaboration with UT Southwestern, the team found that people with higher levels of calprotectin were more likely to develop heart disease over eight years. Their findings also hint at how calprotectin might affect blood vessels, which could play a role in the development of the disease. These insights may lead to new ways to detect and prevent heart disease earlier, potentially saving lives.