Circulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in patients with systemic sclerosis.
In view of recent data demonstrating increased expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in the skin of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) we studied whether levels of soluble ICAM-1 (s-ICAM-1) shed into the circulation are increased in patients with this disorder. We also compared blood levels of s-ICAM-1 in SSc with those in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and we investigated any possible association of s-ICAM-1 with soluble IL-2 receptor (s-IL 2R) levels, the latter being considered as a marker of lymphocyte activation. Patients with SSc had increased levels of sICAM-1 compared with healthy control subjects (mean +/- SEM, 587 +/- 34 versus 373 +/- 27 ng/ml, P < 0.0001). Patients with diffuse rapidly progressive disease had the highest s-ICAM-1 levels. No association was observed between the extent of skin or internal organ involvement and s-ICAM-1 levels. Patients with digital ulcers had significantly elevated s-ICAM-1, but not s-IL 2R, levels. No correlation was detected between individual s-ICAM-1 and S-IL 2R levels in SSc patients. These novel findings suggest that circulating s-ICAM-1 levels may be a useful marker of endothelial activation in SSc; however, further studies are needed to determine the role of ICAM-1 in the pathogenesis of this disorder.
Sfikakis
P P
PP
Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.
Tesar
J
J
Baraf
H
H
Lipnick
R
R
Klipple
G
G
Tsokos
G C
GC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000032:analysis; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D012995:Solubility
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1