title: Increased plasma soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor levels in systemic sclerosis: possible association with microvascular abnormalities and extent of fibrosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) is a key component of the fibrinolytic system involved in extracellular matrix remodeling and angiogenesis. Novel animal models supported the key role of uPAR not only in fibrosis but also in systemic sclerosis (SSc)-related microvascular abnormalities. The aim of this study was to investigate plasma soluble uPAR (suPAR) levels in SSc, and their association with organ-specific involvement.
  
  
  METHODS
  suPAR concentrations were measured by ELISA in SSc patient (n=83) and in healthy controls (n=29). Simultaneously, CRP and ESR were assessed. Detailed clinical data including skin, lung, heart and microvascular characteristics were evaluated at sampling.
  
  
  RESULTS
  suPAR values were higher in SSc patients than in controls. Subgroup analysis showed higher suPAR values in diffuse cutaneous- than in limited cutaneous SSc and correlated with anti-Scl-70+. suPAR levels also associated with pulmonary function test parameters of fibrosis, presence of microvascular lesions (e.g., Raynaud phenomenon, naifold capillaroscopic abnormalities and digital ulcers) and arthritis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data indicate that suPAR might be a valuable early diagnostic marker of SSc which also correlates with disease severity.
authors.forename: Nóra
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Legány
authors.forename: Gergely
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Toldi
authors.forename: Jörg H W
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Distler
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Beyer
authors.forename: Balázs
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Szalay
authors.forename: László
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kovács
authors.forename: Barna
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vásárhelyi
authors.forename: Attila
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Balog
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005355:Fibrosis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055806:Microvessels / Q000002:abnormalities*; D008875:Middle Aged; D055293:Receptors, Urokinase Plasminogen Activator / Q000097:blood* / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D012995:Solubility
chemical_list: D055293:Receptors, Urokinase Plasminogen Activator