title: Evaluation of circulating endothelial and platelet microparticles in men with ankylosing spondylitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the profiles of endothelial microparticles (EMP) and platelet microparticles (PMP) in men with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and healthy subjects. We also aimed to determine whether microparticles (MP) correlate with disease activity, function, and spinal mobility indices.
  
  
  METHODS
  There were 82 men with AS and 53 healthy controls. Subjects with a history of chronic diseases including coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia were excluded. MP were stained with monoclonal antibodies against platelets and endothelial cells and quantified using flow cytometry. MP that were positive for both CD42a+/CD31+ and total CD42a+ were identified as PMP; and MP consisting of CD42a-/CD31+ and total CD144+ were considered EMP.
  
  
  RESULTS
  EMP and PMP were similar between the patient and control groups (p > 0.05). Comparison of patients with AS in the active disease state (BASDAI ≥ 4) and in the inactive state showed that EMP and PMP were not different between the groups (p > 0.05). Correlation analysis revealed no correlation with Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index, or Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index. C-reactive protein was significantly correlated with PMP and CD42a-/CD31+ EMP (p < 0.05). Comparison of patients with AS treated with anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) drugs, subjects treated conventionally, and healthy controls revealed that PMP and CD42a-/CD31+ EMP were significantly downregulated in patients receiving biological agents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Circulating EMP and PMP, known to be indicators and mediators of vascular injury, were not significantly altered in men with AS who did not have classical cardiovascular risk factors. Significantly downregulated MP in patients receiving biological agents suggested that anti-TNF treatment may have a beneficial effect on vascular function in AS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Dokuz Eylul Universitesi School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey. ismailsari35@gmail.com
authors.forename: Ismail
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sari
authors.forename: Giray
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bozkaya
authors.forename: Halil
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kirbiyik
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alacacioglu
authors.forename: Halil
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ates
authors.forename: Gulten
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sop
authors.forename: Gercek
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Can
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Taylan
authors.forename: Ozden
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Piskin
authors.forename: Yasar
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yildiz
authors.forename: Nurullah
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Akkoc
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D055252:Cell-Derived Microparticles / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D019038:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIb-IX Complex / Q000378:metabolism; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D055815:Young Adult; D000099152:Cadherin 5
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D015820:Cadherins; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D019038:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIb-IX Complex; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000099152:Cadherin 5