Adhesion molecule expression and endothelial cell activation in cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis. An immunohistologic and clinical study in 42 patients.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the sequential expression of adhesion molecules on endothelium and inflammatory cells in cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis, and the relation of these adhesive molecules with clinical and histologic variables.


METHODS
An immunohistochemical analysis (streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase technique) of 42 vasculitic lesions of up to 96 hours was performed using a panel of monoclonal antibodies specific for different adhesion molecules. Twenty normal skin samples and 3 perilesional specimens served as control samples. A clinical protocol was also performed, and patients were followed up for 1 to 5 years.


METHODS
A clinicopathologic research unit of a university hospital.


METHODS
Forty-two patients, 21 women and 21 men, aged 22 to 79 years, with cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis.


METHODS
Three skin biopsy specimens of vasculitic lesions from each patient were obtained for histopathologic examination on paraffin, direct immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemical analysis on cryostatic tissue sections.


METHODS
The histologic characteristics and the immunohistochemical-stained specimens were evaluated by 3 independent investigators, using a semiquantitative method.


RESULTS
Increased endothelial expression of very late activation antigen-1, HLA-DR, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 was observed. The induction of E-selectin expression was more marked in recent lesions (P < .001) and correlated with the proportion of infiltrating neutrophils (P = .03). Endothelial expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 was restricted to developed lesions. Most infiltrating cells were neutrophils expressing Mac-1. In 1 patient, lymphocyte function associated antigen-1 expression was also up-regulated. No significant increase in CD3, CD8, or CD71 immunoreactivity was found. An up-regulation of perivascular cells expressing HLA-DR and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 was observed in vasculitic lesions. This cellular staining correlated with long-term evolution of the disease (P = .04).


CONCLUSIONS
Adhesion molecules are sequentially upregulated in cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis. The results of this study support the possible involvement of E-selectin in mediating recruitment of neutrophils expressing Mac-1.
Sais
G
G
Department of Dermatology, Ciutat Sanitària i Universitària de Bellvitge, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain.
Vidaller
A
A
Jucglá
A
A
Condom
E
E
Peyrí
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004727:Endothelium / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018366:Vasculitis, Leukocytoclastic, Cutaneous / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules