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Monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) in temporal arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica
T Ellingsen1, P Elling, A Olson
1Department of Rheumatology, Arhus University Hospital, Arhus, Denmark.
Objective:
To examine the localisation of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) in the inflamed vessel wall in temporal arteritis (TA) and to measure MCP-1 in plasma both in patients with TA and patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR).
Methods:
By immunohistochemical techniques MCP-1 was localised to the vessel wall in patients with TA. In TA, PMR, and healthy controls MCP-1 was quantified by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in plasma.
Results:
MCP-1 was localised to the majority of mononuclear cells, some smooth muscle cells, and giant cells in the arterial biopsy specimens from 12 patients with histologically verified TA. In all sections, including the vasa vasorum, the endothelium stained positive. In the intima 73% (range 57-91%), in the media 49% (range 32-67%), and in the adventitia 74% (range of 62-91%) of all cells stained positive. In plasma MCP-1 was significantly raised in untreated TA (n=33) and untreated PMR (n=27) compared with healthy controls (n=12). Untreated TA plasma levels of MCP-1 (mean 391 pg/ml (range 82-778 pg/ml)) were similar to untreated PMR plasma levels (mean 402 pg/ml (range 29-1153 pg/ml)), and no significant difference was found between the two groups of patients. In both patients with TA and patients with PMR no correlation was found between the plasma level of MCP-1 and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, haemoglobin concentration, and CD4/CD8 ratio.
Conclusions:
These results show that MCP-1 plays a part in the disease processes of TA and PMR.
Insights
Monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) is found in inflamed vessel walls of temporal arteritis (TA) patients. Elevated MCP-1 in plasma suggests its role in TA and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) disease processes.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Temporal arteritis (TA) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) are inflammatory conditions affecting large blood vessels.
- Monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) is a key chemokine involved in inflammatory cell recruitment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of MCP-1 within the inflamed vessel walls of TA patients.
- To quantify plasma levels of MCP-1 in patients with TA and PMR compared to healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was used to localize MCP-1 in arterial biopsy specimens from TA patients.
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) quantified plasma MCP-1 levels in TA, PMR, and control groups.
Main Results:
- MCP-1 was detected in various cell types within the TA vessel wall, including mononuclear cells, smooth muscle cells, giant cells, and endothelium.
- Plasma MCP-1 levels were significantly elevated in untreated TA and PMR patients compared to healthy controls.
- No significant difference in plasma MCP-1 levels was observed between TA and PMR patients, nor was there a correlation with inflammatory markers like ESR.
Conclusions:
- MCP-1 is present in the inflamed vasculature of TA patients, indicating its involvement in the disease.
- Elevated plasma MCP-1 levels in both TA and PMR suggest a shared pathophysiological role for this chemokine in these related conditions.
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