The expression of adhesion molecules in muscle biopsies: the LFA-1/VLA-4 ratio in polymyositis.
OBJECTIVE
The expression of three pairs of adhesion receptors and ligands was examined in 22 consecutive muscle biopsies showing morphological signs of inflammation.


METHODS
The following groups were studied: patients with polymyositis (PM) (n=7), patients with myositis that did not fulfil criteria for PM, i.e. suspected PM (n=5), patients with other diseases, with no clinical signs of inflammatory myopathy (n=6), and a small group of non-PM inflammatory myopathies (n=4). The endothelial expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-selectin was evaluated, as was the cellular expression of LFA-1, VLA-4 and SLex. In addition, the expression of MHC class I and II was studied.


RESULTS
The ratio between the number of cells expressing LFA-1 and VLA-4 showed significant differences between the groups, with the lowest values in PM.


CONCLUSIONS
The LFA-1/VLA-4 ratio should be suitable for diagnostic purposes. Our findings also indicate that the VLA-4/VCAM-1 system is important for chronic T cell inflammation in muscle, in line with findings in other "hidden" organs like joints and the central nervous system.
Lindvall
B
B
Neuromuscular Unit, Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Locomotion, University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden. bjorn.lindvall@lio.se
Dahlbom
K
K
Henriksson
K G
KG
Srinivas
U
U
Ernerudh
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D002196:Capillaries / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002452:Cell Count; D019040:E-Selectin / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D039041:Integrin alpha4beta1 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D016169:Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000096:biosynthesis; D017285:Polymyositis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D000080506:Sialyl Lewis X Antigen; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D019040:E-Selectin; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D039041:Integrin alpha4beta1; D016169:Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1; D009844:Oligosaccharides; D000080506:Sialyl Lewis X Antigen; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1