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Analysis of correlations between selected endothelial cell activation markers, disease activity, and nailfold capillaroscopy microvascular changes in systemic lupus erythematosus patients

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Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the correlation between selected serum endothelial cell activation markers such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), endothelin-1 (ET-1), soluble thrombomodulin (sTM), soluble E-selectin (sE-selectin), disease activity, and microvascular changes determined by nailfold capillaroscopy in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Serum levels of VEGF, ET-1, sTM, and sE-selectin were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 80 SLE patients. The disease activity was measured with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index score. Nailfold capillaroscopy was performed in all patients. Positive correlation was found between VEGF and both ET-1 (r = 0.294, p < 0.01) and sE-selectin (r = 0.274, p < 0.05) serum levels as well as between sTM and ET-1 (r = 0.273, p < 0.05) serum concentrations. We noticed also positive correlation between VEGF (r = 0.224, p < 0.05) and ET-1 (r = 0.471, p < 0.001) serum levels and disease activity, and also between VEGF serum concentration and grade of morphological changes observed by nailfold capillaroscopy (r = 0.458, p < 0.001). There was also positive correlation between capillaroscopic score and disease activity (r = 0.339, p < 0.01). Our data suggest that correlation between VEGF and both ET-1 and E-selectin serum levels as well as between sTM and ET-1 serum concentrations may reflect their participation in the pathogenesis of SLE. VEGF seems to reflect changes in microcirculation in the course of SLE, visualised by nailfold capillaroscopy. The relationship between changes in nailfold capillaroscopy, endothelial cell activation markers, and the clinical activity of SLE points to an important role of microvascular abnormalities in the clinical manifestation of the disease.

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Abbreviations

ET-1:

Endothelin-1

VEGF:

Vascular endothelial growth factor

RA:

Rheumatoid arthritis

SLE:

Systemic lupus erythematosus

SLEDAI:

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index

sTM:

Soluble thrombomodulin

SSc:

Systemic sclerosis

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of General and Experimental Pathology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland

    Mariusz Ciołkiewicz

  2. Department of Rehabilitation, Medical University of Bialystok, M.C. Sklodowskiej 24a, 15-276, Bialystok, Poland

    Anna Kuryliszyn-Moskal

  3. Department of Rheumatology and Internal Diseases, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland

    Piotr Adrian Klimiuk

Authors
  1. Mariusz Ciołkiewicz
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  2. Anna Kuryliszyn-Moskal
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  3. Piotr Adrian Klimiuk
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Correspondence to Anna Kuryliszyn-Moskal.

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Ciołkiewicz, M., Kuryliszyn-Moskal, A. & Klimiuk, P.A. Analysis of correlations between selected endothelial cell activation markers, disease activity, and nailfold capillaroscopy microvascular changes in systemic lupus erythematosus patients. Clin Rheumatol 29, 175–180 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-009-1308-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-009-1308-7

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