Abstract
Being a high-molecular-weight adhesive glycoprotein, fibronectin (Fn) is suggested to be a component of immune complexes and may participate in the clearance of immune complexes. In Behçet's disease (BD), a multisystem disorder of unknown etiology, immune complexes have been shown to be deposited in affected tissue during disease activity, suggesting an immune mechanism. This study investigates the relationship between Fn and circulating immune complexes (CIC) and evaluates the changes in the levels of Fn and CIC along with disease activity. In 63 patients (31 active, 32 inactive) with BD, plasma Fn and serum CIC, C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and the third and fourth components of the complement system (C3, C4) were studied. The mean ESR, CRP, C3 and C4 levels of active BD patients were found to be significantly higher than those of the inactive BD patient group. Although the mean Fn and CIC levels of BD patients were not significantly different from those of the healthy control group, Fn and CIC values of active BD patients were significantly lower than in the inactive group. Moreover, no significant correlation was observed among Fn levels and ESR, CRP, C3, C4 and CIC levels in BD patients. The result of this study suggest that the variation in Fn concentration is independent of the acute-phase response. The lack of relationship between the CIC and Fn concentrations indicates that IC deposition in the vessel wall is independent of the CIC levels. In order to determine the exact roles of Fn and IC, further studies in tissue specimens are required.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Waller HA, Butler MG, McClean JGB, et al (1992) Localisation of fibronectin mRNA in the rheumatoid synovium by in situ hybridisation. Ann Rheum Dis 51:735–740
Walle TK, Vartio T, Helve T, et al (1990) Cellular fibronectin in rheumatoid synovium and synovial fluid. Scand J Immunol 31:535–540
Stecher VJ, Kaplan JE, Connolly K, et al (1986) Fibronectin in acute and chronic inflammation. Arthritis Rheum 29:394–399
Herbert KE, Coppock JS, Griffiths AM, et al (1987) Fibronectin and immune complexes in rheumatoid disease. Ann Rheum Dis 46:734–740
Carsons S (1987) High levels of fibronectin fragments in the plasma of a patient with active systemic lupus erythematosus. J Rheumatol 14:1052–1054
O'Duffy JD (1990) Vasculitis in Behçet's disease. Rheum Dis Clin North Am 16:423–431
Yazici H, Pazarli H, Barnes CG, et al (1990) A controlled trial of azathioprine in Behçet's syndrome. N Engl J Med 322: 281–285
Shimizu T, Ehrlich GE, Inaba G, et al (1979) Behçet's disease. Semin Arthritis Rheum 8:223–260
Adler OB, Rosenberger A (1984) Vascular aspects of Behçet's disease. Ann Radiol 27:371–375
Taylor PV, Chamberlain MA, Scott JS (1993) Autoreactivity in patients with Behçet's disease. Br J Rheumatol 32:908–910
International Study Group for Behçet's Disease (1992) Evaluation of diagnostic criteria in Behçet's disease. Br J Rheumatol 31:299–308
Brandau DT, O'Donnel R, Kimmel-Truitt VL (1991) Lack of binding between cryoimmunoglobulins, immunoglobulins and fibronectin: implications for immune complex vasculitis. Clin Exp Immunol 83:58–63
Jorizzo JL, Hudson RD, Schmalstieg FC, et al (1984) Behçet's syndrome: immune regulation, circulating immune complexes, neutrophil migration and colchicine therapy. J Am Acad Dermatol 10:205–214
Carsons SE, Schwartzman S, Diamond HS, et al (1988) Interaction between fibronectin and C1q in rheumatoid synovial fluid and normal plasma. Clin Exp Immunol 72:37–42
Ciobanu V, Popescu D, Baluna R, et al (1988) Plasma fibronectin level in patients with connective tissue diseases. Med Intern 26:267–271
Kay J, Austen KF, Czop JK (1991) Identification and characterization of opsonic fibronectin in synovial fluids of patients with active rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum 34:687–696
Schneider M, Lohman J, Krummenerl T, et al (1987) Concentration of fibronectin and granulocyte elastase in plasma of patients with systemic connective tissue disease. Int J Tissue React 9:355–359
Bleil L, Manger B, Winkler TH, et al (1991) The role of antineutrophil cytoplasm antibodies, anticardiolipin antibodies, von Willebrand factor antigen and fibronectin for the diagnosis of systemic vasculitis. J Rheumatol 18:1199–1206
Lehner T, Adinolfi M (1980) Acute phase proteins, CRP, factor B and lysozyme in recurrent oral ulceration and Behçet's syndrome. J Clin Pathol 33:269–273
Müftüoğlu AÜ, Yazici H, Yurdakul S, et al (1986) Relation of serum C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rates to disease activity. Int J Dermatol 25:235–239
Schultz DR, Arnold PI (1990) Properties of four acute phase proteins. Semin Arthritis Rheum 20:129–147
Dixon FJ, Cochrane CC, Theofilopoulos AN (1988) Immune complex injury. In: Samter M, Talmage DW, Frank MM, Austen KF, Claman HN (eds) Immunological diseases, 4th edn. Little Brown, Boston Toronto, 233–259
Kaneko F, Takahashi Y, Muramatsu Y, Miura Y (1985) Immunological studies on aphthous ulcer and erythema nodosum like eruptions in Behçet's disease. Br J Dermatol 113:303–312
Williams BD, Lehner T (1977) Immune complexes in Behçet's syndrome and recurrent oral ulceration. BMJ 1:1387–1389
Reimer G, Luckner L, Hornstein OP (1983) Direct immunofluorescence in recurrent aphthous ulcers and Behçet's disease. Dermatologica 167:293–298
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Özoran, K., Düzgün, N., Tutkak, H. et al. Fibronectin and circulating immune complexes in Behçet's disease. Rheumatol Int 15, 221–224 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00290374
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00290374