Systemic lupus erythematosus with necrotizing vasculitis and upregulated expression of VLA-4 antigen.
We report on a patient (S.A.), with well-defined SLE who developed a perforation of the ileum due to pathologically confirmed necrotizing vasculitis. No anti-DNA antibody was detected at the ileal perforation, and the serum complement level was normal. These findings raise the alternative possibility of a cell-mediated immune mechanism as a cause of necrotizing vasculitis. Upregulated expression and function of VLA-4 antigen on peripheral blood T cells were observed, suggesting that T cells with VLA-4 antigen may participate in the onset and/or perpetuation of vascular inflammation.
Takeuchi
T
T
Department of Internal Medicine, Saitama Medical Center, Japan.
Aoki
K
K
Koide
J
J
Sekine
H
H
Abe
T
T
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007082:Ileum / Q000473:pathology; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology*; D010488:Polyarteritis Nodosa / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D016029:Receptors, Very Late Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D016029:Receptors, Very Late Antigen