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Circulating angiostatin serum level in patients with systemic sclerosis
Zofia Gerlicz-Kowalczuk1, Elzbieta Dziankowska-Zaborszczyk2, Bożena Dziankowska-Bartkowiak3
1Department of Dermatology, Pediatric Dermatology and Dermatological Oncology, Lodz, Poland.
Postepy Dermatologii I Alergologii
|February 10, 2018
Summary
Systemic sclerosis patients have lower serum angiostatin (AS) levels compared to healthy individuals, suggesting impaired angiogenesis in this condition.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Biology
- Rheumatology
- Connective Tissue Diseases
Background:
- Systemic sclerosis (SSc) involves microangiopathy and inadequate angiogenesis.
- Angiostatin (AS) is a key anti-angiogenic factor that inhibits endothelial cell proliferation and induces apoptosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum angiostatin (AS) levels in patients diagnosed with systemic sclerosis (SSc).
Main Methods:
- Serum AS levels were quantified in 20 SSc patients and 12 healthy controls.
- Statistical analysis was employed to compare AS levels between groups.
Main Results:
- SSc patients exhibited significantly lower serum AS levels than healthy controls (636.51 vs. 869.20 ng/ml; p=0.012).
- Lower AS levels were observed in SSc patients without esophageal or pulmonary changes compared to controls (p=0.008 and p=0.007, respectively).
- No significant correlation was found between AS levels and limited/disseminated SSc subtypes or other organ-specific SSc manifestations.
Conclusions:
- Serum AS levels are significantly different in SSc patients compared to healthy individuals.
- Reduced serum AS levels in SSc may indicate a role in the pathogenesis of impaired angiogenesis characteristic of the disease.
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