Serum ELAM-1 is increased in vasculitis, scleroderma, and systemic lupus erythematosus.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the state of endothelial cell activation in vasculitis, scleroderma, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).


METHODS
We used a sandwich ELISA to quantitate a soluble form of endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (sELAM) in serum.


RESULTS
sELAM was detected in serum from healthy individuals (mean 0.92 ng/ml). Levels were significantly higher in patients with giant cell arteritis (mean 2.04 ng/ml), polyarteritis nodosa (mean 2.08 ng/ml), scleroderma (mean 2.27 ng/ml), and SLE (mean 3.93 ng/ml). Elevated values were present in patients with both active and inactive disease. sELAM levels of > 3 ng/ml identified most patients with recent onset or active disease.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings may reflect a low degree of endothelial cell activation in healthy persons that is increased in inflammatory diseases involving blood vessels. Elevated serum sELAM levels may reflect ongoing inflammatory processes in these diseases.
Carson
C W
CW
Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic/Foundation, Rochester, MN.
Beall
L D
LD
Hunder
G G
GG
Johnson
C M
CM
Newman
W
W
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000097:blood*; D019040:E-Selectin; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D013700:Giant Cell Arteritis / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010488:Polyarteritis Nodosa / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012016:Reference Values; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000097:blood*; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000097:blood*
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D019040:E-Selectin; D011241:Prednisone