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Updated: May 8, 2026
Analysis of Physiologic E-Selectin-Mediated Leukocyte Rolling on Microvascular Endothelium
Published on: February 11, 2009
Circulating microparticles and plasma levels of soluble E- and P-selectins in patients with systemic sclerosis
L V Iversen1, O Østergaard, S Ullman
1Department of Dermatology, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital , Copenhagen , Denmark.
Objectives:
Microparticles (MPs) may be involved in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc), which includes vasculopathy, endothelial cell activation, and coagulation activation. Circulating MPs from SSc patients were characterized and their relationship with soluble markers of vascular activation investigated.
Method:
This study included 121 SSc patients [79 with limited (lcSSc) and 42 with diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc)] and 49 sex- and age-matched healthy controls (HCs). The MPs were characterized by flow cytometry for annexin V (AnxV)-binding capacity and their expression of surface markers of platelets (PMPs), leucocytes (LMPs), or endothelial cells (EMPs). Plasma levels of soluble (s) E- and P-selectins were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Results:
The total concentrations of MPs and of PMPs, LMPs, and EMPs were 22-42% lower in SSc patients than in HCs (p < 0.001). However, within the cell-derived MP pool, a 47% higher fraction of AnxV non-binding MPs (F-AnxV(-) MPs) was found in the SSc patients compared to the HCs (p < 0.05). The plasma levels of sE- and sP-selectins were increased by 47-64% in the SSc patients compared to HCs (p < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis showed that the raised plasma levels of sE- and sP-selectin were associated with F-AnxV(-) EMPs in dcSSc patients (p = 0.008 and p = 0.001, respectively) but not in lcSSc patients (p = 0.33 and p = 0.82, respectively).
Conclusions:
While the total number of MPs was decreased, the number of F-AnxV(-) MPs increased in SSc patients. The F-AnxV(-) EMPs were associated with plasma levels of markers of vascular activation in patients with dcSSc.
Insights
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients have fewer total microparticles (MPs) but a higher fraction of non-annexin V binding MPs. These non-binding endothelial MPs correlate with vascular activation markers in diffuse cutaneous SSc.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Microparticles (MPs) are implicated in systemic sclerosis (SSc) pathogenesis, involving vasculopathy, endothelial cell activation, and coagulation.
- Characterizing circulating MPs and their association with vascular activation markers is crucial for understanding SSc.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize circulating microparticles (MPs) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients.
- To investigate the relationship between MPs and soluble markers of vascular activation in SSc.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry was used to characterize MPs (platelet-derived, leukocyte-derived, endothelial MPs) and annexin V (AnxV)-binding capacity.
- Plasma levels of soluble E- and P-selectins were measured using ELISA in 121 SSc patients and 49 healthy controls.
- Multiple regression analysis examined associations between MP fractions and selectin levels.
Main Results:
- SSc patients exhibited lower total MP concentrations (PMPs, LMPs, EMPs) compared to healthy controls.
- A higher fraction of AnxV non-binding MPs (F-AnxV(-) MPs) was observed in SSc patients.
- Elevated plasma levels of soluble E- and P-selectins were found in SSc patients, associated with F-AnxV(-) EMPs in diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc).
Conclusions:
- Systemic sclerosis is associated with decreased total MPs but an increased proportion of non-annexin V binding MPs.
- Non-annexin V binding endothelial MPs are linked to vascular activation markers in dcSSc patients, suggesting a role in disease pathogenesis.
