title: Longitudinal analysis of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 in retinal vasculitis patients.
abstract: Increased levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1) in serum have been demonstrated in several human disease conditions. We have previously shown, in a point-prevalence study, a positive correlation between sICAM-1 levels and disease relapse in patients with idiopathic retinal vasculitis. We now report a longitudinal study over 1 year in which sICAM-1 levels were compared with clinical disease status in order to determine this relationship further. Serum samples from 11 patients with idiopathic retinal vasculitis were tested for the presence of sICAM-1 by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Eight control subjects were also tested. Five out of 11 patients presented with relapse and had raised sICAM-1 levels compared with quiescent periods of their disease. Five out of 11 patients showed no relapse over 1 year and also no increase in sICAM-1 levels. One patient showed increased levels of sICAM-1, but no clinical signs of relapse. These results indicate that sICAM-1 is associated with disease activity in retinal vasculitis patients and could indicate dysfunction of the blood-retina barrier.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, UMDS, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: H E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Palmer
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Zaman
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Stanford
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Wallace
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology; D015415:Biomarkers; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology; D012008:Recurrence; D012160:Retina / Q000378:metabolism; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D011239:Prednisolone