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Screening Assays to Characterize Novel Endothelial Regulators Involved in the Inflammatory Response
Published on: September 15, 2017
Evaluation of various endothelial biomarkers in ankylosing spondylitis
Ali Taylan1, Ismail Sari, Didem L Kozaci
1Department of Rheumatology, Izmir Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey. taylanally@yahoo.com
Insights
Ankylosing spondylitis patients show higher levels of atherosclerosis biomarkers, including von Willebrand factor (vWF) and soluble thrombomodulin (sTM). These elevations persist regardless of treatment, indicating an increased atherosclerosis risk in AS patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
Background:
- Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is linked to increased atherosclerosis.
- Endothelial dysfunction, a precursor to atherosclerosis, may involve biomarkers like adhesion molecules and cytokines.
- Understanding these biomarkers in AS is crucial for cardiovascular risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate endothelial biomarkers and cytokine levels in AS patients.
- To assess the impact of disease activity and anti-TNF-α therapy on these markers.
- To determine if AS patients exhibit an increased tendency for atherosclerosis.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples from 56 AS patients and 27 controls were analyzed using ELISA kits.
- Disease activity and spinal mobility were assessed using standardized indices (BASDAI, BASMI).
- Levels of cytokines and endothelial biomarkers including vWF, sTM, and UT-II were measured.
Main Results:
- AS patients had significantly higher serum levels of von Willebrand factor (vWF), soluble thrombomodulin (sTM), and urotensin (UT-II) compared to controls.
- These elevated biomarker levels were observed irrespective of disease activity or treatment regimen (anti-TNF-α vs. conventional therapy).
- No significant effect of treatment or disease activity was found on other measured markers like CD146, PAI-1, tPA, or TAT complex.
Conclusions:
- Elevated levels of UT-II, sTM, and vWF in AS patients suggest a heightened predisposition to atherosclerosis.
- These biomarker changes appear independent of disease activity and current therapeutic interventions.
- Further research is warranted to explore the clinical implications of these findings for cardiovascular health in AS.
Abstract:
Atherosclerosis has been shown to be increased in chronic inflammatory diseases including ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Impaired endothelial function, the first step in atherosclerosis, may be reflected by changes in various endothelial biomarkers of hemostasis and the release of several cellular adhesion molecules or cytokines. In this study, we investigated changes in the levels of various possible markers with regard to disease activity and treatment regimen with/without anti-TNF-α drugs. Fifty-six AS patients (44 males) and 27 controls (19 males) with no known cardiovascular risk factors were included in the study. Spinal mobility was assessed by the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index, and patients were evaluated with the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index and the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index. Cytokines and various endothelial biomarkers were measured in serum samples using commercially available ELISA kits. Age, sex, BMI, waist circumference, fasting glucose, MAP, lipids are all similar between patients and controls. von Willebrand factor (vWF), soluble thrombomodulin (sTM), and urotensin (UT-II) were found to be significantly higher in the sera of the patients compared to the controls. Treatment with anti-TNF-α compared to conventional therapy and disease activity in AS patients seemed to have no effect on the blood levels of UT-II, sTM, CD146, vWF, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, tissue plasminogen activator, or the thrombin-antithrombin complex. The increased UT-II, sTM, and vWF in AS patient sera regardless of treatment and disease activity suggest an increased tendency for atherosclerosis.
