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Soluble adhesion molecules in pediatric rheumatic diseases
Bradley J Bloom1, Laurie C Miller, Peter R Blier
1Division of Pediatric Ambulatory Medicine, Hasbro Children's Hospital and Brown University Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island 02903, USA.
The Journal of Rheumatology
|April 13, 2002
Summary
Serum levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) may indicate active pediatric rheumatic diseases. Elevated E-selectin in vasculitis suggests endothelial activation, while L-selectin in lupus correlates with complement levels.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rheumatology
- Immunology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Adhesion molecules play a crucial role in leukocyte trafficking and immune responses.
- Understanding their role in pediatric rheumatic diseases is essential for disease management.
- Pediatric rheumatic diseases encompass a range of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions affecting children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure serum levels of specific adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, ICAM-3, VCAM-1, L-selectin, E-selectin) in children with various rheumatic diseases.
- To investigate the relationship between these adhesion molecule levels and clinical disease activity.
- To explore correlations with specific disease markers in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and dermatomyositis (DM).
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of banked sera from 18 children with rheumatic diseases (SLE, mixed connective tissue disease, DM, vasculitis).
- Quantification of soluble adhesion molecules using sandwich ELISA.
- Comparison of levels across diagnoses, between active and inactive disease states, and correlation with clinical and laboratory markers of disease activity.
Main Results:
- A trend towards higher soluble E-selectin (sE-selectin) levels was observed in vasculitis compared to other diagnoses.
- Soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) levels were significantly higher in patients with active disease across all diagnoses.
- L-selectin levels showed a significant positive correlation with C4 complement levels in SLE patients.
Conclusions:
- Elevated sE-selectin in vasculitis may indicate endothelial activation and vascular damage.
- L-selectin's correlation with C4 in SLE suggests a role in leukocyte adherence and immune complex deposition.
- sICAM-1 may serve as a general marker for active pediatric rheumatic diseases, though its sensitivity for routine clinical use requires further investigation.