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Analysis of correlations between selected endothelial cell activation markers, disease activity, and nailfold capillaroscopy microvascular changes in SLE patients
Clinical Rheumatology, 11/17/09

Ciotkiewicz M et al. – 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). 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.

Methods

Serum levels of VEGF, ET-1, sTM, and sE-selectin determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 80 SLE patients
Disease activity measured with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index score
Nailfold capillaroscopy performed in all patients

Results

Positive correlation found between VEGF and both ET-1 (r=0.294) and sE-selectin (r=0.274) serum levels as well as between sTM and ET-1 (r=0.273) serum concentrations
Positive correlation between VEGF (r=0.224) and ET-1 (r=0.471) serum levels and disease activity, and also between VEGF serum concentration and grade of morphological changes observed by nailfold capillaroscopy (r=0.458)
Positive correlation between capillaroscopic score and disease activity (r=0.339)
Data suggest correlation between VEGF and both ET-1 and E-selectin serum levels as well as between sTM and ET-1 serum concentrations reflect their participation in pathogenesis of SLE