Levels of circulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and -3 but not circulating endothelial leucocyte adhesion molecule are increased in patients with rheumatoid vasculitis
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A E Voskuyl1, S Martin, L Melchers
1Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Insights
Circulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (cICAM-1) and cICAM-3 levels are elevated in rheumatoid vasculitis (RV), indicating vascular inflammation. These markers may aid in diagnosing RV, distinguishing it from rheumatoid arthritis.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Rheumatoid vasculitis (RV) is a severe complication of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
- Vascular inflammation is a key feature of RV.
- Biomarkers for assessing vascular inflammation in RV are needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if circulating adhesion molecules reflect vascular inflammation in RV.
- To compare levels of specific adhesion molecules in RV patients, RA patients, and healthy donors.
Main Methods:
- Quantification of circulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (cICAM-1), cICAM-3, and circulating endothelial leucocyte adhesion molecule (cE-selectin) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.
- Comparison of adhesion molecule levels between 14 RV patients, 47 RA patients, and 100 healthy donors.
Main Results:
- RV patients exhibited significantly elevated levels of cICAM-1 and cICAM-3 compared to RA patients (P < 0.0001).
- Elevated cICAM-1, cICAM-3, and cE-selectin were found in 57%, 71%, and 21% of RV patients, respectively.
- 43% of RV patients showed increased levels of both cICAM-1 and cICAM-3, unlike RA patients.
- cICAM-3 levels were significantly lower in the inactive phase of RV.
Conclusions:
- Circulating ICAM-1 and ICAM-3 levels may serve as useful markers for vascular inflammation in rheumatoid vasculitis.
- These adhesion molecules could potentially aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of RV.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to investigate whether levels of circulating adhesion molecules reflect vascular inflammation in rheumatoid vasculitis (RV). Levels of circulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (cICAM-1), c-ICAM-3 and circulating endothelial leucocyte adhesion molecule (cE-selectin) were determined in 14 patients with RV and compared to 47 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 100 healthy donors (HD). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to quantify cICAM-1, cICAM-3 and cE-selectin. We found that in RV significantly (P < 0.0001) elevated levels of cICAM-1 and cICAM3, but not cE-selectin, were found when compared with RA patients. Levels > 2 S.D. above the mean level of HD were present for cICAM-1, cICAM-3 and cE-selectin in 57, 71 and 21%, respectively of patients with RV and 2, 21 and 44%, respectively of the RA patients. Increased levels of both cICAM-1 and cICAM-3 were found in 43% of the RV patients and in none of the RA patients. Comparison of the serum levels of patients studied in an active and inactive phase of RV revealed significantly lower levels of cICAM-3 levels in the inactive phase. In conclusion we find that determination of cICAM-1 and cICAM-3 may be useful as a marker of vascular inflammation in patients with RV.