title: Soluble L-selectin in the connective tissue diseases.
abstract: Plasma levels of the leucocyte adhesion molecule L-selectin were measured by ELISA in 41 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, 18 with ankylosing spondylitis, 18 with systemic sclerosis and 27 with vasculitis together with 42 age- and sex-matched controls. Low levels of soluble L-selectin were found in systemic sclerosis (797 +/- 302 ng/ml, P < 0.05) and vasculitis (941 +/- 329 ng/ml, P < 0.05) relative to controls (1244 +/- 269 ng/ml). The exact reasons for low levels of soluble L-selectin are unclear, but may reflect reduced shedding from leucocytes and/or strong binding to its cell membrane ligand(s). An approximate inverse relationship between soluble L-selectin and disease severity may have clinical relevance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University Hospital of South Manchester.
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Blann
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Sanders
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Herrick
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Jayson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019041:L-Selectin / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000097:blood*; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000097:blood*; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D019041:L-Selectin