[The correlation between salivary endothelial expression of E-selectin and clinical and biological parameters in systemic scleroderma].
OBJECTIVE
A body of evidence suggests the pivotal role of endothelial cells in the pathophysiology of systemic sclerosis. E-selectin is an adhesion molecule specifically expressed by activated endothelial cells. In previous studies we noticed that E-selectin was frequently expressed in the salivary gland tissue of patients with systemic sclerosis. Moreover, E-selectin expression was detectable very early in the course of the disease. To better define the role of E-selectin in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis, we conducted a study aimed at determining whether E-selectin expression was correlated to clinical and biological features in patients with systemic sclerosis.


METHODS
Thirty-one patients presenting with systemic sclerosis were included in the study. The following parameters were systematically assessed: duration and cutaneous extent of the disease, presence of secondary Sjögren's syndrome, antinuclear antibodies, and pulmonary and esophagus involvement. E-selectin expression was assessed by immunocytochemistry on minor labial salivary glands.


RESULTS
E-selectin expression was detected in 21 out of 31 patients (67%). The disease duration was significantly shorter in patients with E-selectin expression (mean 9.1 +/- 8.5 years versus 4.2 +/- 3.3 years, P < 0.05). No significant difference was found for other features.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that endothelial E-selectin expression is mainly detectable early in the course of systemic sclerosis, when active and non-cicatrical sclerosis may be evidenced. No correlation was found between E-selectin expression and immunological disorders (antinuclear antibodies, secondary Sjögren's syndrome).
Hebbar
M
M
Service de médecine interne A, CHU, hôpital Claude-Huriez, Lille, France.
Janin
A
A
Lassalle
P
P
Hatron
P Y
PY
Hachulla
E
E
Tonnel
A B
AB
Devulder
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000032:analysis; D019040:E-Selectin / Q000235:genetics*; D004727:Endothelium / Q000378:metabolism*; D004935:Esophageal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008046:Lip / Q000378:metabolism; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012470:Salivary Glands, Minor / Q000378:metabolism*; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013997:Time Factors
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D019040:E-Selectin
Corrélations entre expression endothéliale salivaire de la E-sélectine et paramètres cliniques et biologiques au cours de la sclérodermie systémique.