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Updated: Jun 28, 2026
14:16
Analysis of Physiologic E-Selectin-Mediated Leukocyte Rolling on Microvascular Endothelium
Published on: February 11, 2009
Plasma soluble e-selectin in necrotising enterocolitis
A K Khoo1, N J Hall, N Alexander
1Department of Paediatric Surgery, UCL Institute of Child Health and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, London, UK.
Summary
Soluble E-selectin (sE-selectin) levels increase after surgery for necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) in infants. However, prematurity, not NEC severity, appears to drive elevated sE-selectin, limiting its use as a prognostic marker.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal immunology
- Gastroenterology
- Vascular biology
Background:
- E-selectin mediates leukocyte-endothelial adhesion and is elevated in necrotising enterocolitis (NEC).
- Soluble E-selectin (sE-selectin) is a circulating marker of endothelial activation.
- Increased intestinal E-selectin in NEC correlates with poor outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between circulating sE-selectin levels and prognosis in infants with NEC.
- To determine if sE-selectin can serve as a predictive biomarker for NEC severity and patient outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Plasma samples from 20 infants with Bell stage II/III NEC were analyzed using ELISA.
- Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores assessed illness severity.
- Statistical analysis included Spearman's rank correlation and Wilcoxon signed rank test.
Main Results:
- Plasma sE-selectin negatively correlated with corrected gestational age (r = -0.425, p = 0.006).
- No significant association was found between sE-selectin and NEC outcome (survival/death), disease extent, or SOFA score.
- Surgery for suspected perforation significantly elevated sE-selectin levels (p = 0.031).
Conclusions:
- Circulating sE-selectin levels rise post-surgery in NEC infants.
- Prematurity, rather than NEC severity, is linked to increased sE-selectin.
- sE-selectin's utility as a prognostic biomarker for NEC severity is confounded by prematurity.
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