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Updated: May 18, 2026
14:16
Analysis of Physiologic E-Selectin-Mediated Leukocyte Rolling on Microvascular Endothelium
Published on: February 11, 2009
L-selectin and skin damage in systemic sclerosis
James V Dunne1, Stephan F van Eeden, Kevin J Keen
1Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. James.Dunne@VCH.ca
Plos One
|October 3, 2012
Summary
Soluble L-selectin levels correlate with reduced skin damage in diffuse systemic sclerosis (dSSc) patients, suggesting it as a potential therapeutic target and outcome measure for dSSc.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- L-selectin ligands are induced at inflammatory sites, and L-selectin on leukocytes may facilitate their recruitment.
- Soluble L-selectin (sL-selectin) activity is retained in its soluble form, with conflicting reports on its levels in systemic sclerosis (SSc).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between plasma L-selectin concentrations and skin damage in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).
- To clarify disparate findings regarding sL-selectin levels in SSc patients.
Main Methods:
- Compared 19 limited SSc (lSSc) and 11 diffuse SSc (dSSc) patients to age- and sex-matched controls.
- Assessed skin involvement using the modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS).
Main Results:
- No association between mRSS and plasma L-selectin in lSSc.
- A significant negative correlation between mRSS and plasma L-selectin in dSSc (R(2)=73.11%, p=0.0008), indicating lower skin damage with higher sL-selectin.
- Significant negative correlation between sL-selectin and disease activity/severity in dSSc, but not in lSSc.
Conclusions:
- Modulating circulating L-selectin presents a promising strategy for mitigating skin damage in dSSc.
- Plasma sL-selectin levels may serve as a valuable outcome measure for dSSc patients in clinical trials.
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