title: Clinical significance of soluble-endoglin levels in systemic lupus erythematosus: possible association with anti-phospholipid syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The pathogenic role of soluble endoglin (s-Eng), as an antiangiogenic protein, has largely been demonstrated in various vascular disorders. Our aim was to assess, in a cross-sectional study, plasma levels of s-Eng in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and its relation with the disease characteristics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Plasma from 86 patients with SLE and 36 normal healthy subjects was assayed for s-Eng levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Demographic, clinical, autoantibodies and serological data were prospectively assessed. Disease activity was assessed by total SLE disease activity index score.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In our SLE patients, the levels of s-Eng were comparable between SLE patients and the control group. However, these levels were significantly associated with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). In addition, s-Eng levels were significantly associated with antiphospholipid antibodies in our studied population. On the other hand, we did not find significant differences in mean plasma s-Eng levels in relation to disease activity, other organ system involvement or the presence of anti-dsDNA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our preliminary data indicated the importance of s-Eng in a special subgroup of SLE patients associated with secondary APS. An additional prospective, large-scale, longitudinal study should be carried out to support these findings.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt. imanbassyouni@yahoo.com
authors.forename: I H
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Bassyouni
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: El-Shazly
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Azkalany
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zakaria
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Bassyouni
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid / Q000276:immunology; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000097:blood*; D016736:Antiphospholipid Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D000071063:Endoglin; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000097:blood*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid; D015703:Antigens, CD; D001323:Autoantibodies; C064206:ENG protein, human; D000071063:Endoglin; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface