title: Soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 indicates SLE disease activity and specific organ involvement.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by immune complex deposits and subsequent vascular inflammation in many organs. Activated endothelial cells are a major source of VCAM-1. The levels of soluble VCAM-1 (sVCAM-1) are elevated in SLE and have been found to be associated with disease activity and damage organ especially renal involvement.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association among serum levels of sVCAM-1 and anti-dsDNA antibodies and its correlation with SLE disease activity.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study sample included 69 consecutive and unselected patients with SLE. Plasma samples were collected for the determination of sVCAM-1 and anti-dsDNA by ELISA, C3 and C4 by nephelometry. Disease activity was defined by the SLE Disease Active Index score (SLEDAI > or = 4).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Elevated levels of sVCAM-1 (ng/dL) were seen in active compared to inactive (1009 +/- 54 vs 446 +/- 33) SLE patients (p < 0.05). Soluble sVCAM-1 levels correlated with measures of overall disease activity SLEDAI score (r = 0.67, p < 0.0001) while dsDNA antibodies had a correlate of r(s) = 0.29, p < 0.01. In patients with renal, hematological and vascular activity, levels of sVCAM-1 were different and statistically significant. For dsDNA antibodies this difference was only observed in the patients with renal activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The data presented suggest that clinical forms of SLE differ form each other in respect to concentration of sVCAM-1 specially in patients with active renal, hematological and vascular involvement , whereas dsDNA antibodies levels were only in active renal group. sVCAM-1 levels may be useful to monitor both systemic and organ specific activity in LES.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Investigación en Epidemiología Clínica HGR número 1, Chihuahua, Chih.
authors.forename: Salvador
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pizarro
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Monárrez Espino
authors.forename: Antonino
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ruiz
authors.forename: Luis J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Jara
authors.forename: Arnulfo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nava
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Riebeling-Navarro
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1